RISK FACTORS FOR DELIRIUM IN ELDERLY PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE: NA INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Authors

  • Victor Hamilton da Silva Freitas Centro Universitário São Camilo
  • Marina Rodrigues Rolim Centro Universitário São Camilo
  • Flávio Vinícius Fagundes Xavier Centro Universitário São Camilo
  • Glêbia Alexa Cardoso Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4822-1673
  • Joel Freires de Alencar Arrais Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5127-5309
  • Naftale Alves dos Santos Gadelha Universidade Regional do Cariri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20873/2025_jul_20164

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for delirium in elderly patients in the intensive care unit. Methods: This is an integrative review. The literature search was conducted between June and October 2023 in the electronic databases PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and BDENF. Results: Eight studies were identified, involving 9,565 elderly individuals with an average age ranging from 68 to 78.11 years. There is a notable wide variation in the proportion of elderly with delirium (6% to 66.1%), as well as several risk factors, with age being the most frequently cited. In the studies, men are the most affected, particularly by hypoactive delirium. Conclusion: Various risk factors were cited, including age, comorbidities, medications such as benzodiazepines, frailty and malnutrition, previous cognitive impairment, use of mechanical ventilation, and clinical severity, particularly in men, highlighting the importance of identifying elderly individuals susceptible to the syndrome.

Published

2025-07-17

How to Cite

Hamilton da Silva Freitas, V., Rodrigues Rolim, M., Vinícius Fagundes Xavier, F., Alexa Cardoso, G., Freires de Alencar Arrais, J., & Alves dos Santos Gadelha, N. (2025). RISK FACTORS FOR DELIRIUM IN ELDERLY PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE: NA INTEGRATIVE REVIEW. DESAFIOS - Revista Interdisciplinar Da Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, 12(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.20873/2025_jul_20164