Low social support is associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the predictive value of social support in postoperative delirium.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Postoperative recovery room and orthopedic surgery department.


METHODS
106 consecutive patients undergoing a planned orthopedic surgery with general anesthesia.


METHODS
All patients completed questionnaires to assess depressive mood (the Beck Depression Inventory) and social support (Sarason's Social Support Questionnaire) during the preanesthesia visit. Postoperative delirium symptoms were assessed daily using the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale. Demographic, clinical, and biological data, including anesthesia procedure, were recorded.


RESULTS
Controlling for various potential confounders through multivariate binary logistic regression, postoperative delirium was independently predicted by satisfaction with social support, but neither by depressive mood nor the number of supportive persons. Other significant predictors were the preoperative use of benzodiazepines, age, and type of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who report low satisfaction with social support may present with a particular vulnerability to postoperative delirium, even after controlling for physical confounding variables and depressive mood.
Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculté de médecine, 75006 Paris, France.
Thuy-Dung
TD
Do
Cédric
C
Lemogne
Didier
D
Journois
Denis
D
Safran
Silla M
SM
Consoli
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003693:Delirium / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001569:Benzodiazepines