[Cognitive impairment after intensive care unit discharge: a Meta-analysis]

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a significant concern for intensive care unit (ICU) survivors.
• Understanding the incidence and duration of post-ICU cognitive impairment is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate the incidence and characteristics of cognitive impairment following ICU discharge.
• To provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and management of post-ICU cognitive dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted on 35 studies involving over 100,000 ICU survivors.
• Literature search was performed across major databases (PubMed, Embase, etc.) up to December 2019.
• Study quality was assessed using established criteria (Cochrane Handbook, NOS, AHRQ), and publication bias was analyzed.

Main Results:

• The pooled incidence of cognitive impairment after ICU discharge was 38.44%, with significant variations based on evaluation methods, patient types (general, ARDS, elderly), and follow-up duration.
• Incidence rates were higher when using questionnaires/scales (38.75%) compared to neuropsychological tests (31.42%).
• Cognitive impairment was most prevalent within the first year post-discharge (43.30%) and decreased over time.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive impairment is a prevalent and persistent issue among ICU survivors.
• Significant heterogeneity exists in diagnostic criteria and follow-up times across studies.
• There is a critical need for standardized evaluation criteria and rigorously designed research to better understand and manage post-ICU cognitive impairment.