Postoperative Delirium in Surgical Patients in Intensive and Non-Intensive Care Units: Incidence, Risk…

Cohort studyJournal of Nippon Medical School = Nippon Ika Daigaku zasshi· 2026

Postoperative Delirium in Surgical Patients in Intensive and Non-Intensive Care Units: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Significance.

Yuki Genda, Hiroshi Mase, Shunichi Yasuda … Masashi Ishikawa

Perioperative MedicineCohort studyPrognosisQ2IF 1.9

Postoperative delirium incidence was far higher in intensive care unit than non-intensive care unit surgical patients.

Postoperative Delirium in Surgical Patients in Intensive and Non-Intensive Care Units: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Significance.

Yuki Genda … Masashi Ishikawa

Journal of Nippon Medical School · 2026 · Q2 in General Medicine

Background

Postoperative delirium (postoperative delirium) is a common complication that is associated with adverse outcomes.

Purpose

This study investigated postoperative delirium incidence, prognostic significance, and risk factors in intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit settings.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 20,338 adults who underwent general anesthesia at Nippon Medical School Hospital between July 2021 and March 2025.

n = 20,338 adults

Results

nearly 1 in 5 intensive care unit surgical patients developed delirium, far more than non-intensive care unit patients

19.1%

ICU

2.3%

non-ICU

More results

Postoperative delirium was positively associated with 180-day mortality in both groups (p<0.001).

Among non-intensive care unit patients, survival was worse among patients with late postoperative delirium than among those with early postoperative delirium (p<0.001), whereas onset timing had no impact in intensive care unit patients.

More results

Risk profiles differed: advanced age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and cerebrovascular disease were associated with postoperative delirium in non-intensive care unit patients, while male sex and dialysis were significant factors for intensive care unit patients.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Postoperative delirium was independently positively associated with excess mortality across settings, but the risk factors and prognostic implications varied.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

These findings highlight the need for ward-specific preventive strategies and tailored perioperative management.

Postoperative Delirium in Surgical Patients in Intensive and Non-Intensive Care Units: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Significance.

Postoperative Delirium in Surgical Patients in Intensive and Non-Intensive Care Units: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Significance.

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