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Writing disturbances: an indicator for postoperative delirium
1Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Postoperative delirium in major surgery patients significantly impairs writing ability. This study proposes a "Delirium Writing Test" as a potential diagnostic tool for early detection.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Neuroscience
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Postoperative delirium is a common complication following major surgery.
- Assessing cognitive changes after surgery is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of major surgery on patients' writing ability.
- To explore the potential of writing ability assessment as a diagnostic marker for postoperative delirium.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 24 patients undergoing thoracotomy for pulmonary malignancy were studied.
- Writing ability was assessed preoperatively and on postoperative day 3.
- Delirium was diagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria, with writing assessed for motor, spatial, syntactical, and spelling impairments.
Main Results:
- 21% of patients developed postoperative delirium.
- Patients with delirium exhibited severe writing impairments, including reluctance to write, motor deficits, and spatial disturbances.
- No such impairments were observed in patients without delirium.
Conclusions:
- Impaired writing ability is a significant indicator of postoperative delirium.
- The proposed Delirium Writing Test may serve as a valuable diagnostic aid for identifying delirium in surgical patients.