Changes in sedation levels may be linked to delirium in ICU patients

Delirium was detected at least once in 65% of ICU patients (n = 640).

• Older patients, those requiring intubation, and those with longer ICU stays had a higher incidence of delirium.
• Delirious patients experienced significantly higher ICU mortality compared to non-delirious patients.
• The median duration of delirium in affected patients was 3 days.
• Fluctuations in sedation levels, indicated by changes greater than two levels on the sedation scale, were associated with a 5.19 times higher odds of developing delirium.
• A continuous infusion of midazolam was linked to a reduced incidence of delirium, with an odds ratio of 0.38.

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