ABSTRACT
Aim of the study: The main objective of this prospective and
observational study is to investigate the effect of preoperative
hospitalization period on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction
(POCD) development in patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery
under regional anesthesia.
Materials and Methods: Between November 2013 to September 2014,
64 patients were enrolled the study. Test scores were obtained on the
initial admission day (MMT1), 24 hours prior to surgery (MMT2) and 24
hours after the surgery (MMT3). Patients were divided into two groups
according to MMT scores as “no cognitive dysfunction” (Group 1) and
“cognitive dysfunction” (Group 2). Differences between groups were
evaluated statistically. Statistical significance level was set as
p<0.05 in a 95% confidential interval.
Results: POCD incidence rate was calculated as 43.8% in all
patients. Preoperative hospitalization duration was significantly higher
in patients with POCD when compared to patients without POCD
(p<0,001). The factors which affect POCD development were
found to be advanced age (p<0,001), high ASA scores (p=0,004),
presence of comorbid disease (p=0,025), duration of operation (p=0,018)
and decreased postoperative hematocrit levels (p=0,014).
Conclusion: In this study, we observed patients with early POCD
had a relatively longer pre-operative hospitalization period when
compared to patients without POCD. We consider that the prolonged
preoperative hospitalization periods may contribute to increased POCD
incidence rates in patients with risk factors.