J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2014 Apr;18(1):39-43.

The Risk Factors of Delirium in Orthopedic Elderly Patients

• Kim CH
• Jon DI
• Hong HJ
• Jung MH
• Park JY
• Hong N

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore risk factors behind delirium in elderly inpatients with orthopedic problem.
METHODS
The subjects were 94 elderly patients (> or =65 years old) who admitted to a department of orthopedic surgery. They were evaluated with Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and were diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision through direct interview with psychiatrists. The demographic data, medical histories, and orthopedic chart were checked through medical records of patients.
RESULTS
20 subjects (21.3%) were diagnosed as delirium, and among them, 10 subjects had hyperactive type (50.0%), 6 had hypoactive type (30.0%) and 4 had mixed type (20.0%). Delirium group had high systolic blood pressure (p=0.007) and plasma glucose level (p=0.001) at the admission day. They had low hemoglobin (p=0.002) and potassium level (p=0.017) after surgery.
CONCLUSION
In our study, there were many delirium patients, and even though there were many hypoactive type patients. It is assumed that delirium occurs more at the surgery or damage with larger loss of blood. It is important that we take care of management of past diseases rather than presence of past diseases. It is necessary to develop guidelines which would help to find out high risk patients for delirium.

Keyword

Delirium; Risk factors; Aged

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Blood Glucose
Blood Pressure
Delirium*
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Humans
Inpatients
Medical Records
Orthopedics*
Potassium
Psychiatry
Risk Factors*
Potassium