Delirium and associated factors in intensive care units: cohort pilot study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To detect the incidence of the delirium and the associated facors with its occurrence in intensive care units (ICUs). METHOD: Cohort pilot study conducted in three ICUs. The sample consisted of adult clinical and surgical patients with hospitalization time greater than 24 hours. Delirium was monitored by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparison between groups, considering p <0.05 as statistically significant. Results were also presented through Relative Risk. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 59 patients, of which 33.9% (n= 20) had delirium, with predominance of the hypoactive spectrum, with 50% of cases (n= 10). It stand out that 90% of patients had onset of episodes within the first 24 hours of hospitalization and the average duration of episodes was approximately 02 days. Among the researched variables, there was a positive and statistically significant association between the use of physical restraint and occurrence of dysfunction (RR= 3.10; p= 0.01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of delirium in the sample was high, predominating the hypoactive subtype. The use of physical restraint increased by three times the risk of developing delirium.