Preoperative anemia increases risk of postoperative delirium in elderly, suggests research
A new study published in the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology showed that preoperative anemia may be associated with a higher risk of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The study reported a 7.2% incidence of POD in anemic patients, compared to just 2.6% in non-anemic patients.
Although a direct causal relationship was not established, the findings highlight a potential association that warrants further investigation. POD is a serious complication affecting up to 5% of general surgery patients, with incidence varying based on surgery type and patient demographics. It is also linked to longer hospital and ICU stays, increased morbidity, and higher mortality risk.
Surgical patients frequently suffer from anemia, which has been linked to negative consequences like decreased executive function, longer hospital stays, and higher death rates. Postoperative delirium and preoperative anemia may or may not be related. Thus, this retrospective study looked into the connection between POD and preoperative anemia in older patients having non-cardiac surgery. Ah Ran Oh and colleagues postulated that a higher incidence of delirium following non-cardiac surgery would be linked to preoperative anemia.
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