Prevalence and risk factors associated with delirium at a critical care unit

Objective: Identify the prevalence and risk factors associated with delirium in patients in a critical care unit in northeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study that enrolled 316 patients with at least 48h of hospitalization, ≥18 years old, with Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale ≥ -3, between July 2017 and April 2018. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate analysis, we employed a log-binomial model for adjusted prevalence ratios. Results: Univariate analysis indicated that delirium was prevalent among 45.9%, middle age (49.8 ± 17.4 vs. 44.0 ± 17.6, p=0.003) and neurosurgery (62.5% vs. 26.1%, p<0.001). Physical restraining (81.3% vs. 40.9%, p<0.001), nasoenteral tube feeding (85.9% vs. 57.6%, p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation (50.0% vs. 29.2%, p<0.001) was associated with prevalence of delirium. Conclusion: Age, physical restraint, tube feeding, and the use of anticonvulsants increase the prevalence of delirium in our sample.