Postop delirium linked to long-term decline in elderly

Editor's Note

In this study, postoperative delirium in patients averaging 80 years old was linked to long-term detrimental outcomes after major orthopedic surgical procedures.

Of 130 patients analyzed, 34 developed postoperative in-hospital delirium.

Patients with postoperative delirium had a greater decline in activities of daily living at 2 to 3 years (16 points vs 9 points) after surgery and a higher 36-month mortality rate (29% vs 9%).

Postoperative delirium is common in elderly patients, but it’s long-term consequences were unclear. This study provides more evidence of an association between postoperative delirium and long-term decline in activities of daily living and mortality, the authors say.