Delirium in hospitalized elderly patients with non-severe SARS-CoV-2
infection: an observational clinical study
Abstract
Objective Delirium has been reported in all the course of
COVID-19, especially in aged patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection,
but there are few studies on these millions of patients with none-severe
omicron infection. To study the incidence of delirium and its factors in
hospitalized elderly patients with non-severe Omicron infection,we
reported this single-center observational study. Methods
Patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection at the hospital were
included. We used the 3-min diagnostic Confusion Assessment Method for
delirium diagnosis. We collected the demographic data, medical history,
number of vaccine doses against COVID-19, the first laboratory tests and
chest computed tomogram, days to the outcome, and medications to treat
COVID-19. Results The data of 311 patients were analyzed, of
whom 73 (23.47%) patients were diagnosed with delirium. The five
parameters identified as independent factors for delirium were age, body
mass index, total protein, albumin-to-globulin ratio, and platelet-large
cell ratio. These parameters were used to create a risk prediction
model, which showed good predictive accuracy. A decision curve analysis
was made, using this model, patients could benefit from the treatment
with the incidence from 0.15 to 0.5. Conclusion we found that
delirium is frequently seen in elderly patients with non-severe Omicron
infection. Age, body mass index, total protein, albumin-to-globulin
ratio, and platelet-large cell ratio were identified as independent
factors for delirium. These factors are good for delirium, and early
detection and preventive action may be taken based on them.