A Prospective Observational Cohort Study to Detect Occurrence, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Delirium in Intensive Care Unit

Background and objectives: Though common, delirium
is frequently unrecognized in the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU). There is no report on its incidence in our setting
thus we aimed to find its incidence in ICU and the risk
factors associated with it.
Material and Methods: This prospective observational
cohort study was performed on 60 patients admitted for
more than 24 hours in the BP Koirala Institute of Health
and Sciences ICU from November 2018 to September
2019. Patients were evaluated for the presence of
delirium by using the Confusion Assessment Method
ICU scale every day 8 hourly during their stay in ICU.
All possible risk factors associated with delirium were
noted.
Conclusion: Delirium is frequent in ICU. Midazolam
and a history of alcohol intake are predictors of delirium
in the ICU. Those patients with delirium had a longer
duration of mechanical ventilation and increased ICU
stay. However, it was not significantly associated with
mortality at 30 days.