Purpose: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and adverse clinical outcomes of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.
Design and methods: A total of 429 patients scheduled to undergo noncardiac surgery were recruited. Delirium was assessed using the confusion assessment method.
Findings: The incidence of POD was 5.4%. Risk factors of POD were age over 70 years, an American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status 2 and 3, cognitive impairment, history of psychiatric illness, and preoperative hemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dl.
Practice implications: The correction of modifiable risk factors, the use of preventive strategies, and the monitoring of POD are advisable to improve the quality of perioperative care.
Keywords: adverse clinical outcomes; elderly patients; mortality; postoperative delirium; risk factors.
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