Delirium linked to ‘drastically’ raised risk of new onset dementia
An episode of delirium postsurgery flags the need for ongoing close monitoring of cognitive function, researchers say
Elderly patients who experience delirium in hospital have a drastic 12-fold increased likelihood of developing dementia, Australian researchers warn.
They say the finding strongly emphasises delirium as a significant risk factor for incident dementia and an episode warrants close monitoring of patients’ cognitive function.
The UNSW Sydney researchers conducted a systematic review and the largest meta-analysis to date on the topic, drawing from six observational studies from developed countries with a combined 901 participants.
Most of the included studies involved hip fracture and cardiac surgery patients aged 65 and older, with follow-up periods that ranged from six months to five years.
