Skip to main content

ASA: Risk for Postoperative Delirium Increased With Poor and Worsening Sleep

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 25, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, Oct. 25, 2024 -- Inadequate sleep and worsening sleep trajectory are associated with postoperative delirium among adults undergoing noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, held from Oct. 18 to 22 in Philadelphia.

Faegheh Miryousefiata, M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and colleagues examined the correlations between poor sleep burden and the risk for delirium following surgical procedures. A total of 150 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia were assessed for their sleep characteristics using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PSQI component scores ranged from 0 to 3, with the total score varying from 0 to 21; higher scores indicated poorer sleep burden.

The researchers found that the risk for developing delirium was higher among patients with poor sleep burden who were young and elderly (18 and 20.9 percent, respectively). When restricted to postoperative delirium and excluding the potential of underlying dementia, these associations were stronger. In the population monitored throughout the trial, delirium was associated with increased sleep load. A significantly higher chance of experiencing delirium was seen for people who experienced a worsening of their PSQI over three scores, indicating severe bad sleep quality load, especially for those aged 45 to 64 years, regardless of baseline sleep score and time lag.

"Good sleep quality before surgery is crucial for the recovery period," Miryousefiata said in a statement. "It is really important to get the best sleep possible, especially for those over 65, who are at greater risk for postoperative delirium."

Press Release

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Endolymphatic Sac Decompression Effective for Vertigo, Migraine

WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 -- For Meniere disease (MD) patients with migraine, endolymphatic sac decompression (ELSD) is effective, providing postoperative relief of vertigo and...

One-Week Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Safe, Effective Up to 10 Years

TUESDAY, May 27, 2025 -- A five-fraction, one-week schedule of adjuvant breast radiotherapy is as safe and effective as a standard three-week schedule for patients with invasive...

Trend Toward Survival Benefit Seen for REM-Inhibition in ALS

THURSDAY, May 22, 2025 -- For patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), rapid eye movement (REM) inhibition via receipt of antidepressant medication is associated with a...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.