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