Incidence, Risk Factor and Outcome of Delirium in Intensive Care Unit (COVID vs Non-COVID ICU): An Observational Study

ABSTRACT

Aim and background: Delirium is the disturbance of consciousness characterised by acute onset, rapid fluctuations in mental status, and impaired cognitive functioning. The patient's ability to receive, process, store, and recall information is impaired in delirium. Objective: To study the incidence of delirium in patients in COVID and non-COVID ICU. To also study various risk factors associated with delirium. Materials and methods: After ethical committee approval and written informed consent, this study was carried out over a period of 1 year (August 2020 to July 2021). Each patient meeting the inclusion criteria was evaluated on the RAAS score within 24 hours of admission, then screened for delirium according to CAM-ICU worksheet every 6th hourly after admission in MICU. 50 patients were studied each in COVID and non-COVID ICU. Patients found to have delirium after the first assessment were classified as new cases. Various risk factors were evaluated prospectively. Results: Incidence of delirium in non-COVID ICU was 29%, while in COVID ICU was 37%. Delirium is present in a patient who has risk factors including smoking, higher severity of illness, oversedation, and mechanical ventilation. Antipsychotics can be used for patients who develop delirium. Conclusion: Delirium is a preventable issue in ICU patients that can be managed by preventing the risk factors that will decrease overall length of stay in ICU.