NEW YORK: The presence of high levels of C-reactive protein may act as a marker to help identify older patients who would benefit from preventive measures against delirium before undergoing surgery.
Researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center noted that delirium affected 15-53% of older surgical patients and was linked with longer hospital stays and more complications.
They said their research provided insights into the potential mechanisms involved in the development of delirium and may help clinicians assess risk so preventive measures could be taken.
To look for potential blood-based markers of delirium, researchers screened plasma from adults without dementia aged 70 and older undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.
Of the 566 patients enrolled, 24% experienced delirium. Plasma was collected at four time points – pre-operatively, in the post-anaesthesia care unit, on postoperative day two and at a one-month follow-up appointment…