Altered EEG, disrupted hippocampal long-term potentiation and neurobehavioral deficits implicate a delirium-like state in a mouse model of sepsis.

Sepsis and systemic inflammation are often accompanied by severe encephalopathy, sleep disruption and delirium that strongly correlate with poor clinical outcomes including long-term cognitive deficits. The cardinal manifestations of delirium are fluctuating altered mental status and inattention, identified in critically ill patients by interactive bedside assessment. The lack of analogous assessments in mouse models or clear biomarkers is a challenge to preclinical studies of delirium. In this study, we utilized concurrent measures of telemetric EEG recordings and neurobehavioral tasks in mice to characterize inattention and persistent cognitive deficits following polymicrobial sepsis. During the 24-hour critical illness period for the mice, slow-wave EEG dominance, sleep disruption, and hypersensitivity to auditory stimuli in neurobehavioral tasks resembled clinical observations in delirious patients in which alterations in similar outcome measurements, although measured differently in mice and humans, are reported. Mice were tested for nest building ability 7 days after sepsis induction, when sickness behaviors and spontaneous activity had returned to baseline. Animals that showed persistent deficits determined by poor nest building at 7 days also exhibited molecular changes in hippocampal long-term potentiation compared to mice that returned to baseline cognitive performance. Together, these behavioral and electrophysiological biomarkers offer a robust mouse model with which to further probe molecular pathways underlying brain and behavioral changes during and after acute illness such as sepsis.

Cryptococcal Meningitis Causing Refractory Hemichorea-Hemiballismus Treated With Pallidotomy.

We report a case of a 31-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with altered mental status and agitation requiring intubation. As sedation was weaned, he demonstrated choreiform movements with associated hemiballismus of the right upper and lower extremities, and he was ultimately diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis. The patient's chorea did not terminate after the completion of induction antifungal therapy and all pharmacologic options for the management of chorea were ineffective. He underwent a successful unilateral pallidotomy using standard stereotactic methodology targeting the posterior-ventral pallidum, and his choreiform movements dramatically improved post-operatively within 48 hours.

Delirium-related distress in the ICU: A qualitative meta-synthesis of patient and family perspectives and experiences.

BACKGROUND: Better understanding of patient and family member experiences of delirium and related distress during critical care is required to inform the development of targeted nonpharmacologic interventions. OBJECTIVE: To examine and synthesize qualitative data on patient and family member delirium experiences and relieving factors in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. Eligible studies contained adult patient or family quotes about delirium during critical care, published in English in a peer-reviewed journal since 1980. Data sources included PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane and Clinicaltrials.gov. METHODS: Systematic searches yielded 3238 identified articles, of which 14 reporting 13 studies were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Qualitative meta-synthesis was performed through line-by-line coding of relevant quotes, organization of codes into descriptive themes, and development of analytical themes. Five patients/family members with experience of ICU delirium contributed to the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Qualitative meta-synthesis resulted in four major themes and two sub-themes. Key new patient and family-centric insights regarding delirium-related distress in the ICU included articulation of the distinct emotions experienced during and after delirium (for patients, predominantly fear, anger and shame); its 'whole-person' nature; and the value that patients and family members placed on clinicians' compassion, communication, and connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct difficult emotions and other forms of distress are experienced by patients and families during ICU delirium, during which patients and families highly value human kindness and empathy. Future studies should further explore and address the many facets of delirium-related distress during critical care using these insights and include patient-reported measures of the predominant difficult emotions.

Effectiveness of an intensive care unit family education intervention on delirium knowledge: a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study.

PURPOSE: To create, validate, and refine an intensive care unit (ICU) delirium education intervention to prepare family members to partner with the ICU care team to detect delirium symptoms and prevent and manage delirium using nonpharmacological strategies. METHODS: In this pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study, consecutive eligible family members of critically ill patients admitted to an ICU completed an ICU Family Education Delirium intervention in two parts: 1) six-minute video on ICU delirium (risk factors, prevention/management, symptoms, communication with the ICU care team), and 2) two case vignettes to practice detecting delirium using family-administered delirium detection questionnaires (Family Confusion Assessment Method [FAM-CAM] and Sour Seven). Family members' delirium knowledge was measured before, immediately after, and two weeks following the intervention using the Caregiver ICU Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (CIDKQ). RESULTS: Of 99 family members recruited over eight months, 81 (82%) completed the intervention and 63 (63/81, 78%) completed all follow-up questionnaires. Family members' delirium knowledge improved significantly following the intervention (pre-CIDKQ, 14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13 to 15; post-CIDKQ, 17; 95% CI, 16 to 17; P < 0.001) and was retained two weeks after the intervention (CIDKQ 16; 95% CI, 16 to 17; P < 0.001). This included increased knowledge regarding delirium risk factors (e.g., medication, mechanical ventilation), prevention/management (e.g., orientation, day/night routine), and symptoms of delirium. More family members correctly detected delirium symptoms in case vignettes using the Sour Seven (92%) compared with the FAM-CAM (78%). CONCLUSIONS: A video-based ICU delirium education intervention is effective in educating family members about prevention, detection, and management of delirium.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Notre objectif était de créer, valider et améliorer une intervention de formation sur le delirium à l'unité de soins intensifs (USI) afin de préparer les membres de la famille à coopérer avec l'équipe de soins de l'USI pour dépister les symptômes de delirium ainsi que prévenir et prendre en charge le delirium à l'aide de stratégies non pharmacologiques. MéTHODE: Dans cette étude quasi expérimentale avant après, les membres éligibles consécutifs de familles de patients en état critique admis dans une USI ont pris part à une formation familiale sur le delirium à deux volets : 1) le visionnement d'une vidéo de six minutes sur le delirium à l'USI (facteurs de risque, prévention/prise en charge, symptômes, communication avec l'équipe de soins de l'USI), et 2) deux vignettes pour pratiquer le dépistage du delirium à l'aide de questionnaires de dépistage du delirium administrés par la famille (Méthode d'évaluation de la confusion par la famille [FAM-CAM] et Questionnaire de dépistage du delirium 'Sour Seven'). Les connaissances sur le delirium des membres de la famille étaient mesurées avant, immédiatement après et deux semaines après l'intervention à l'aide d'un Questionnaire sur les connaissances des aidants concernant le délirium à l'USI (CIDKQ). RéSULTATS: Parmi les 99 membres de famille recrutés au cours d'une période de huit mois, 81 (82 %) ont complété l'intervention et 63 (63/81, 78 %) ont complété tous les questionnaires de suivi. Les connaissances des membres de la famille sur le delirium se sont significativement améliorées après l'intervention (pré-questionnaire, 14; intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 %, 13 à 15; post-questionnaire, 17; IC 95 %, 16 à 17; P < 0,001) et étaient retenues deux semaines après l'intervention (questionnaire 16; IC 95 %, 16 à 17; P < 0,001). Cette amélioration était notable dans les catégories de connaissances en matière de facteurs de risque de delirium (par ex., la médication, la ventilation mécanique), de prévention et de prise en charge (par ex., l'orientation, la routine jour/nuit), et des symptômes de delirium. Un nombre plus élevé de membres des familles est parvenu à dépister correctement les symptômes de delirium dans les vignettes à l'aide du questionnaire Sour Seven (92 %) comparativement au FAM-CAM (78 %). CONCLUSION: Le visionnement d'une vidéo de formation sur le delirium à l'USI est efficace pour former les membres des familles quant à la prévention, le dépistage et la prise en charge du delirium.

Método para la evaluación de la confusión en la unidad de cuidados intensivos para el diagnóstico de delírium: adaptación cultural y validación de la versión en idioma español / Confusion assessment method for diagnosing delirium in ICU patients (CAM-ICU): Cultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version

Objetivo: Realizar la adaptación cultural y la validación del CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit «método para la evaluación de la confusión en la unidad de cuidados intensivos») al idioma español para el diagnóstico de delírium. Diseño: Población de validación. Ámbito: La unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital universitario de tercer nivel con 600 camas. Pacientes: Veintinueve pacientes críticos que reciben ventilación mecánica. Edad: 70 años (58-77), APACHE II: 16 (13-21) y SOFA: 7 (4-8). Intervención: Aplicación del CAM-ICU en idioma español por 2 operadores independientes y del DSM IV TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition-Revised) por un psiquiatra. Variables de interés principales: Concordancia (índice κ), consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach) y validez (sensibilidad y especificidad) del CAM-ICU en idioma español en relación con el estándar de referencia (DSM IV TR). Resultados: El proceso de traducción y adaptación cultural se desarrolló de acuerdo con las recomendaciones internacionales actualmente vigentes. Se realizó un total de 65 evaluaciones en los 29 pacientes. La concordancia entre los observadores alcanzó un índice K de 0,91 (IC del 95%: 0,86 a 0,96). La consistencia interna del instrumento fue adecuada y alcanzó un alfa de Cronbach de 0,84 (IC del 95% unilateral: 0,77). La sensibilidad del CAM-ICU versión española para el observador A (médico) fue del 80%, con una especificidad del 96%. En tanto que para el observador B (enfermera), la sensibilidad fue del 83%, con una especificidad del 96%. Conclusiones: El CAM-ICU en idioma español es un instrumento válido, confiable y reproducible, que puede aplicarse satisfactoriamente para el diagnóstico de delírium en pacientes de habla hispana (AU)

Objective: To adapt the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) for the diagnosis of delirium to the language and culture of Spain and to validate the adapted version. Design: Population validation. Setting: Intensive care units in a 600-bed university hospital. Patients: We studied 29 critical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Mean age was 70 years (range 58-77 years), mean APACHE II score 16 (range 13-21), and mean SOFA score 7 (range 4-8). Intervention: Two independent operators applied the Spanish version of the CAM-ICU and a psychiatrist applied the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition-Revised (DSM IV TR). Main outcome variables: Concordance (kappa index), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and validity (sensitivity and specificity) of the Spanish version of the CAM-ICU were compared to the DSM IV TR, which is considered the current gold standard. Results: The translation and cultural adaptation was carried out in accordance with current international guidelines. A total of 65 assessments were performed in 29 patients. The interobserver concordance was high: kappa statistic 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86-0.96). The internal consistence was adequate: Cronbach's alpha=0.84 (unilateral 95% CI: 0.77). For observer A (a physician), the sensitivity of the Spanish version of the CAM-ICU was 80% and the specificity was 96%. For observer B, (a nurse) the sensitivity was 83% and the specificity was 96%. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the CAM-ICU is a valid, reliable, and reproducible instrument that can be satisfactorily applied to diagnose delirium in Spanish-speaking ICU patients (AU)

Versión en español del método para la evaluación de la confusión en cuidados intensivos, estudio piloto de validación / Spanish version of the method for evaluation of confusion in intensive cares, pilot study of validation

Objetivo: Validar la versión en español del CAM-ICU (confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit «método para la evaluación de la confusión en cuidados intensivos»). Diseño: Estudio de validación. Se valoran la concordancia interevaluador y la validez mediante comparación ciega con los criterios del Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales, cuarta edición, texto revisado (DSM-IV TR) (estándar de referencia) en un grupo de pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Ámbito: UCI médico-quirúrgica. Pacientes: Ciento veintinueve adultos con puntuación >-4 en la Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale y entre las 24-48h de admisión en la UCI. Se tuvo en cuenta la aplicación independiente del CAM-ICU por 2 intensivistas y la valoración por psiquiatría con el uso de los criterios del DSM-IV TR para delírium. Resultados: La prevalencia de delírium en la muestra fue del 26,4% y fue del 48,3% en los 29 pacientes que recibieron ventilación mecánica. La concordancia interevaluador en toda la muestra, según el índice κ fue de 0,792 (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 0,662-0,922; p<0,001) y en los pacientes con ventilación mecánica fue de 0,726 (IC del 95%: 0,487-0,965; p<0,001). La sensibilidad fue del 79,4% (IC del 95%: 63,2-89,7%); la especificidad, del 97,9% (IC del 95% 92,6-99,4%); el valor predictivo positivo (VP+), del 93,1% (IC del 95%: 78,0-98,1%); el valor predictivo negativo (VP-), del 93,0% (IC del 95%: 86,3-96,6%); el cociente de probabilidades positivo (CP+), de 37,72 (IC del 95%: 9,47-150,20), y el cociente de probabilidades negativo (CP-), de 0,21(IC del 95%: 0,11-0,41) en toda la muestra. En los pacientes con ventilación mecánica, la sensibilidad fue del 92,9% (IC del 95%: 68,5-98,7%); la especificidad, del 86,7% (IC del 95%: 62,1-96,3%); el VP+, del 86,7% (IC del 95%: 62,1-96,3%); el VP-, del 92,9% (IC del 95%: 68,5-98,7%); el CP+, de 6,96 (IC del 95%: 1,90-25,51), y el CP-, de 0,08 (IC del 95%: 0,01-0,55). Conclusión: El CAM-ICU en español es reproducible. Su sensibilidad y especificidad así como sus valores predictivos son buenos (AU)

Objective: To validate the Spanish version of the CAM-ICU. Design: Validation study. The inter-rater reliability and validity were evaluated using a blind comparison with the DSM-IVTR criteria (reference standard) in a group of patients hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Setting Medical-surgical ICU. Patients 129 adults with RASS >-4 score, within the 24-48h of ICU admission. Independent application of the CAM-ICU by two intensive care specialists and evaluation by a psychiatrist using the DSM-IVTR criteria for delirium. Results: Prevalence of delirium in the sample was 26.4%, this being and 48.3% in the 29 patients who received mechanical ventilation. Inter-rater reliability in the whole sample according to the Kappa index was 0.792 (95% CI 0.662-0.922, p<0.001) and in those who received mechanical ventilation was 0.726 (95% CI 0.487-0.965, p<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value (PPV), negative predicted value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (+LR), and negative likelihood ratio (-LR) were 79.4% (95% CI 63.2-89.7%); 97.9% (95% CI 92.6-99.4%); 93.1% (95% CI 78.0-98.1%); 93.0% (95% CI 86.3-96.6%); 37.72 (95% CI 9.47-150.20) and 0.21(95% CI 0.11-0.41), respectively, in the whole sample. In mechanically-ventilated patients, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, +LR and -LR were 92.9% (95% CI 68.5-98.7%); 86.7% (95% CI 62.1-96.3%); 86.7% (95% CI 62.1-96.3%); 92.9% (95% CI 68.5-98.7%); 6.96(95% CI 1.90-25.51) and 0.08 (95% CI 0.01-0.55), respectively. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the CAM-ICU is reliable. Its sensitivity, specificity and predictive values should be considered good (AU)