Identifying modifiable risk factors in post-operative delirium
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying modifiable pre and intra-operative risk factors in the development of post-operative delirium in elective surgical patients.
IRAS ID
281089
Contact name
Stuart Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
With an increasing elderly population undergoing elective surgery, the incidence of post-operative delirium is increasing. The development of delirium has long term implications for patients, but also have a detrimental effect on overall health economics. Evidence in the literature highlights that an episode of delirium significantly increases the length of a patient’s hospital stay, increases their overall mortality and increases the likelihood of the patient developing long term cognitive dysfunction. As a result, the prevention and management of delirium is one of the healthcare initiatives being driven by the Scottish Government. Delirium is a complex phenomenon, where the pathophysiology is poorly understood. There are many known unmodifiable factors that influence the development of post-operative delirium. To date, there is little in the literature that focuses on identifying modifiable risk factors during the perioperative period.
The data being collected will be retrospective over a two year period from June 2017 to June 2019; which would be >650 patients. This data will focus on all elective surgical patients admitted to ICU East at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. During their admission every patient receives a daily CAM ICU score, if positive it demonstrates the presence of delirium. This will allow patients who have developed post-operative delirium to be identified. The data collected will include unmodifiable risk factors; age, sex, type of anaesthesia, presence of cognitive impairment and pre-existing co-morbidities. Data collected focusing on potential modifiable risk factors would be pre-operative polypharmacy, pre and intra-operative anti-cholinergic burden, serum albumin, type of anaesthetic, intra-operative opiate amount, use of high risk medications e.g. benzodiazepines.
The study will solely be performed at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, with an aim of completion within one year.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0144
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion