Prevalence and risk factors for delirium in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (COVID-D): a multicentre cohort study
This study of ICU patients with Covid-19 (n=2088) found 81.6% were comatose (median 10 days) and 54.9% were delirious (median 3 days). Identified modifiable risk factors for delirium included benzodiazepine use and lack of family visitation.
Source:
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
SPS commentary:
The authors of a related comment note that ICU patients with Covid-19 were kept in a coma for prolonged periods – a median of 10 days compared to 1 day reported for patients without Covid-19. They say that process evaluation is needed to understand the reasons for the rapid changes in sedation practice, noting that this could in part be explained by the high prevalence of more agitated delirium combined with a shortage of resources.