Delirium in COVID-19 patients: a multicentric observational study in Italy

Introduction Although recent data show that SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to affect the central nervous system (CNS), little is known about the neuropsychiatric effects resulting from this condition. In addition to the well-known neurotrophism of coronaviruses, recent evidence shows also that the “cytokine storm” induced by the infection is at the basis of the neuroinflammation of the CNS. Furthermore, prolonged hospitalization, polypharmacotherapy, and isolation could be at the basis of the onset of delirium in hospitalized COVID patients. This multicentric observational study explores the incidence of the onset of delirium in an Italian cohort of SARS-CoV-2 positive inpatients. Methods Data were collected in the COVIDhospitals of Brescia, Bergamo, Chieti, and Genova. Different socio-demographic, medical, neurological, and pharmacological parameters were collected. As a rapid screening for delirium, the 4AT scale was used. Eighty COVID-19 inpatients (mean age 74.7 ± 14.5 years) met the inclusion criteria (confirmed positivity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus; the presence of delirium and/or psychomotor agitation and/or new onset of other neuropsychiatric symptoms during hospitalization). Results Themajority of these patients (68.8%) had “hyperactive delirium” subtype. Polypharmacotherapy, current treatment with corticosteroids, and higher age were associated with delirium severity. Conclusion These data provide an insight into the onset of delirium among COVID-19 patients underlining the need for monitoring, especially in elderly patients, the neuropsychiatric symptoms, and the therapy in order to have shorter hospitalization times and better outcomes..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:42

Enthalten in:

Neurological sciences - 42(2021), 10 vom: 28. Juli, Seite 3981-3988

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Martinotti, Giovanni [VerfasserIn]
Bonanni, Laura [VerfasserIn]
Barlati, Stefano [VerfasserIn]
Miuli, Andrea [VerfasserIn]
Sepede, Gianna [VerfasserIn]
Prestia, Davide [VerfasserIn]
Trabucco, Alice [VerfasserIn]
Palumbo, Claudia [VerfasserIn]
Massaro, Alessandra [VerfasserIn]
Olcese, Martina [VerfasserIn]
D’Ardes, Damiano [VerfasserIn]
Cipollone, Francesco [VerfasserIn]
Amore, Mario [VerfasserIn]
Bondi, Emi [VerfasserIn]
Russo, Mirella [VerfasserIn]
Carrarini, Claudia [VerfasserIn]
Onofrj, Marco [VerfasserIn]
Sensi, Stefano Luca [VerfasserIn]
Vita, Antonio [VerfasserIn]
di Giannantonio, Massimo [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext [lizenzpflichtig]

BKL:

44.90

Themen:

COVID-19
Delirium
Neuroinflammation
SARS-CoV-2 infection

Anmerkungen:

© Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia 2021

doi:

10.1007/s10072-021-05461-2

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

SPR045080461