PURPOSE
Although there is a high incidence of delirium with increased age, the risk factors have been too various. We investigated the incidence and risk factors in the older inpatient with neurological disorders.
METHODS
We reviewed the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of older patients admitted to a neurology unit from August 2016 to January 2017. We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of delirium in 382 patients in a tertiary hospital. Delirium was determined daily using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC). Demographic, disease, and environmental characteristics were obtained by using structured EMR data.
RESULTS
The incidence rate of delirium was 6.0% (n=23). Delirium was prevalent in patients who were older, had a lower serum hemoglobin, had hypertension or had diabetes mellitus. Delirium was also observed in patients on antibiotics, having a higher number of drugs or catheters, or receiving mechanical monitoring. A longer hospital stay, being admitted to a sub-intensive care unit, and sleep deprivation were significantly associated with delirium. Multiple logistic regression analysis found older age, having sleep deprivation, a higher number of catheters placed, and having diabetes mellitus to be significant predictors of delirium.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that age, sleep deprivation, number of catheters, and comorbidity of diabetes mellitus were identified as a risk factor for delirium. And it will guide the development of algorithms through its possible applications for the future in hospitalized older adults.

Citations

• Relationship between Barriers and Performance for Delirium Care among Hospital Nurses: The Mediating Effect of Self-confidence
  Hee Yeon Kim, Hye-Ja Park
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2025; 50(1): 81.     CrossRef
• The evaluation of frequency and predictors of delirium and its short-term and long-term outcomes in hospitalized older adults’
  Yamini Ajmera, Karandeep Paul, Maroof Ahmad Khan, Bharti Kumari, Nand Kumar, Prasun Chatterjee, Aparajit Ballav Dey, Avinash Chakrawarty
  Asian Journal of Psychiatry.2024; 94: 103990.     CrossRef
• Patterns of Symptoms and Symptom-related Factors of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Secondary Data Analysis of Electronic Medical Records
  Moonjung Kwak, Yeon-Hwan Park
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2024; 36(2): 146.     CrossRef
• Leptin as a Predictor of Delirium in Geriatric Inpatients
  Yamini Ajmera, Avinash Chakrawarty, Masroor Anwar, Maroof Ahmad Khan, Prasun Chatterjee, Sharmistha Dey
  Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics.2022; 18(4): 157.     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of Delirium Education Programs for Nurses in Acute Hospitals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Jungyeon Roh, Sujin Shin, Eunmin Hong
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2022; 34(5): 435.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences of patients with a severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
METHODS
The data were collected through in-depth interviews of six patients suffering from severe COPD. The interviewed data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. The Giorgi method of phenomenology was used for analyzing data.
RESULTS
Eight themes forming the, units of meaning, were: Repeated and Unpredictable Suffering of Dyspnea, Confidence Loss/Exhaustion Life due to non-efficient breathing, Gradually Deprived Liberty, Absolute Being to Sustaining my life, Source of Burden but Significant Person I am in the Family, Endless Tug-of-War-Capability/Endeavor to Breath, Longing for my Life, and Dead-end of breathing.
CONCLUSION
The study results provide an in-depth understanding of life experiences of patients suffering from severe COPD. The findings will be useful to nurses caring for this population.