ICJIM
Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine

The Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine aims to publish issues related to all fields of internal medicine of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics. This journal is indexed by indices that are considered international scientific journal indices (DRJI, ESJI, OAJI, etc.). According to the current Associate Professorship criteria, it is within the scope of International Article 1-d. Each article published in this journal corresponds to 5 points.

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Original Article
A comparative analysis of predisposing factors for delirium in hospitalized patients during and after COVID-19 restriction periods
Abstract
Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on hospitalized patients, with delirium emerging as a common and severe complication, especially during periods of strict restrictions. The influence of environmental and psychosocial factors on delirium during different phases of the pandemic remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the differences in predisposing factors for delirium between the restriction and relaxed periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 102 patients diagnosed with delirium between January 2020 and December 2023 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on their admission periods relative to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Group 1 (n = 64) consisted of patients admitted during the period of strict COVID-19 measures (11 March 2020 – 30 June 2021), while Group 2 (n = 38) included those admitted after the restrictions were lifted (1 July 2021 – 30 June 2023). Demographic and clinical data were collected using the hospital's electronic information system and patient files.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 72.4 ± 11.5 years (range: 50 to 92 years), and 51% of them were male. There were no significant differences in the distribution of age, gender, and comorbidities across the two groups. Group 1 had a significantly higher ratio of patients with COVID-19 infection compared to Group 2 (60.9% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.024). Sleep deprivation was more common in Group 1 than in Group 2 (87.5% vs. 68.4%, p = 0.037). The duration of delirium was significantly longer in Group than in Group 2 (3 vs. 2 days p = 0.045). Patients in Group 1 had a significantly longer hospital stay compared to those in Group 2 (9 vs. 6 days p < 0.001). Although the mortality rate was observed to be higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2, this difference was not statistically significant (18.8% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.400).
Conclusion: During the restriction period of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with delirium exhibited higher rates of COVID-19 infection, increased sleep deprivation, and longer delirium episodes compared to those during the relaxed period. The prolonged delirium duration and extended hospital stays observed in the restriction period suggest that environmental and psychosocial factors may have contributed to more severe outcomes.

Keywords : COVID-19, delirium, hospitalized patients, infection, pandemic restrictions, predisposing factors, sleep deprivation

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Article available in :
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2024
Page : 89-93
https://doi.org/10.51271/ICJIM-0043
Article Information
Received : 02 Eki 2024
Accepted : 24 Eki 2024
Published : 30 Eki 2024
Corresponding Author :

Demet Aygün Üstel: Department of Neurology, İstanbul Atlas University, Medicine Hospital, İstanbul, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Aygün Üstel D, Filiz Karalar F. A comparative analysis of predisposing factors for delirium in hospitalized patients during and after COVID-19 restriction periods. Intercont J Int Med. 2024;2(4):89-93.

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