Table 1.
Summary of risk factors for delirium
| Risk factors for delirium
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient-related risks | Illness-related risks | Environmental- related risks | Intervention-related risks | Medication-related risks |
| Age ≥70 years | Illness severity | Social isolation | Perioperative | Polypharmacy |
| Pre-existing cognitive impairment | Dehydration | Sensory extremes | Types of surgery, eg, hip, cardiac | Drug/alcohol dependence |
| Previous episode of delirium | Infection, eg, urinary tract infection | Visual deficit | Duration of operation | Benzodiazepine use |
| CNS disorder | Fracture | Hearing deficit | Catheterization | Nicotine withdrawal |
| Increased BBB permeability | Hypothermia/fever | Immobility | Emergency procedure | Addition of ≥3 new medications |
| Poor nutritional status | Hypoxia | Use of restraints | Psychoactive drug use | |
| Number and severity of comorbid illnesses | Metabolic/electrolyte disturbances, eg, low sodium | Novel environment | Certain drugs, eg, anticholinergics | |
| Pain Organ insufficiency Burns |
Stress | |||
Abbreviations: CNS, central nervous system; BBB, blood–brain barrier.