Incidence and factors predicting delirium among critically ill patients

Mohamed Mahmoud, Rahma Marey; Mahran, Ghada Shalaby Khalaf; Abdelraouf, Abdelraouf Mohamed Sayed

doi:10.21608/asnj.2025.361988.2020

Incidence and factors predicting delirium among critically ill patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Teacher at Technical Secondary School of Nursing in Assiut, Egypt

² Assistant Professor of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.

10.21608/asnj.2025.361988.2020

Abstract

Background: Critically ill individuals commonly develop delirium due to a variety of factors, recent surgical or invasive interventions, and multiple stressors such as psychological distress, mechanical ventilation, noise, lighting, frequent clinical procedures, and sleep disruption. Study aim: To assess the incidence of delirium among critically ill patients and examine potential predictive factors. Research Design: A descriptive, exploratory approach. Setting: This study was conducted in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Al-Eman General Hospital, Assiut. Sample: Ninety four newly admitted male and female patients in the intensive care units at Al-Eman General Hospital participated in the study. Tools: Data collection involved four instruments: a general assessment sheet for critically ill patients, the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist, the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale, and a set of predictors for delirium among critically ill patients. Results: Delirium was observed in 51% of ICU-admitted patients, with highest prevalence among those aged >60 years. Gender distribution was nearly equal among affected patients. Sleep disruption showed a 100% association with delirium onset. Environmental factors also correlated significantly, with delirious patients more frequently exposed to subdued environments (p < 0.01) and inadequate lighting (p=0.002). Conclusion: The study demonstrates a high incidence of delirium among ICU admissions. Recommendations: Implementation of protocolized delirium screening should be prioritized in critical care units, with particular attention to sleep hygiene and environmental modifications.

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