title: High prolactin levels are associated with more delirium in septic patients.
abstract: We investigated whether high prolactin levels were associated with delirium in septic patients because neuropsychiatric disorders are frequently associated with hyperprolactinemia.
  
  
  
  Prolactin levels were measured daily for 4 days in 101 patients with sepsis. Delirium was assessed using the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale and the Confusion Assessment Method in the ICU.
  
  
  
  Delirium developed in 79 patients (78%) and was more common in patients older than 65 years. Prolactin levels were higher in patients with delirium than in those without over the 4 days of observation (P = .032). In patients with delirium, higher prolactin levels were associated with a lower incidence of nosocomial infection (P = .006). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at intensive care unit admission (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.48; P = .002) and the combined effect of prolactin levels with age (odds ratio, 1.018; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.031; P = .006) were associated with the development of delirium.
  
  
  
  High prolactin levels may be a risk factor for delirium in septic patients.
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit of Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: namduc.nguyen@uzbrussel.be.
authors: Duc Nam
authors: DN
authors: Nguyen
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit of Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Huyghens
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry & Radioimmunology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit of Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Schiettecatte
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry & Radioimmunology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit of Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Smitz
authors: Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Vincent
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection; D003693:Delirium / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011388:Prolactin
keywords: Aging; Delirium; Nosocomial infections; Prolactin; SOFA score