Delirium and related factors in patients hospitalized in the internal intensive care unit

Aim: This study was conducted in order to investigate delirium and related factors in patients hospitalized in the internal medicine intensive care unit. Material and Method: The study was conducted in the internal medicine intensive care unit of Diyarbakır University of Health Sciences, Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital between July 2022 and February 2023. The study sample consisted of 103 patients who were hospitalized in the internal medicine intensive care unit. The study data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM ICU), the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) and the Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT). The data of the study were analyzed using the SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics 26) package program. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in SMMT scores according to age groups (F=4.376; p=0.006). A statistically significant difference was found in terms of Nu-DESC scores according to education levels (χ2=12.504; p=0.006). There was a statistically significant difference in SMMT scores according to cohabitants (Z=- 2.246; p=0.025). A statistically significant difference was found in terms of Nu-DESC scores according to use of nasogastric tube (NG) (Z=-2.316; p=0.021). There was a statistically significant difference in SMMT scores according to use of NG (Z=-2.695; p=0.007). There was a negative, moderate and statistically significant correlation between the Nu-DESC score and the SMMT score (r=-0.617; p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, age, education level, cohabitants and use of nasogastric tube were found to be factors associated with delirium in patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Significant correlation was found between Nu-DESC and SMMT. Since delirium is a multifactorial syndrome, being aware of the factors that may predispose to delirium is important in preventing it. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct training programs for early identification of delirium and to follow up patients in terms of delirium. Key Words: Delirium, İntensive care unit, Nursing