Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Postoperative Delirium in Procedures of Moderate-to-High Complexity: A Hospital-Registry Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience chronic sleep disturbances and desaturation, factors that have been associated with postoperative delirium and that can be aggravated after anesthesia for complex procedures. We investigated whether OSA is associated with delirium after anesthesia, and whether this association is modified by procedural complexity. METHODS: Hospitalized patients ≥60 years who underwent general anesthesia or procedural sedation for procedures of moderate-to-high complexity between 2009 and 2020 at a tertiary health care network in Massachusetts were included. The primary exposure was OSA, defined based on International Classification of Diseases (Ninth/Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification) (ICD-9/10-CM) diagnostic codes, structured nursing interviews, anesthesia alert notes, and a validated risk score (BOSTN [body mass index, observed apnea, snoring, tiredness, and neck circumference]). The primary end point was delirium within 7 days after the procedure. Multivariable logistic regression and effect modification analyses adjusted for patient demographics, comorbidities, and procedural factors were applied. RESULTS: A total of 46,352 patients were included, of which 1694 patients (3.7%) developed delirium, 537 (3.2%) with OSA, and 1,157 (4.0%) without OSA. In adjusted analyses, OSA was not associated with postprocedural delirium in the overall cohort (adjusted odds ratio [OR adj ], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.20; P = .35). However, a high procedural complexity modified the primary association (P value for interaction = .002). OSA patients had a higher risk of delirium after high-complexity procedures (≥40 work relative value units) such as cardiac (OR adj , 1.33; 95% CI, 1.08-1.64; P = .007, P value for interaction = .005) or thoracic surgery (OR adj , 1.89; 95% CI, 1.19-3.00; P = .007, P value for interaction = .009), but no increased risk after moderate complexity procedures, including general surgery (OR adj , 0.86; 95% CI, 0.55-1.35; P = .52). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to non-OSA patients, a history of OSA is associated with a higher risk after high-complexity procedures such as cardiac or thoracic surgery but not after procedures of moderate complexity. (Anesth Analg 2024;138:626-34) KEY POINTS• Question: Is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) associated with a higher risk of delirium within 7 days after surgery? • Findings: In this hospital registry study of 46,352 inpatients ≥60 years, we found that compared to non-OSA patients, patients with OSA are at higher risk after high-complexity procedures such as cardiac or thoracic surgery.

Intraoperative Use of Phenylephrine versus Ephedrine and Postoperative Delirium: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

“…4,6,13 This time frame for the development of delirium was selected based on clinical relevance and previous literature. 8,14,15 Driven by an inflammatory surge and residual effects of anesthesia, 16 patients are at particularly high risk of postoperative delirium during the first 7 postoperative days. 17 Further details on the definition of the primary outcome and on how delirium was diagnosed at our institution are provided in Supplemental Digital Content 1 (section S1.2, https://links.lww.com/ALN/D310).…”

“…4,6,13 This time frame for the development of delirium was selected based on clinical relevance and previous literature. 8,14,15…”

Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Is Associated With Delayed Neurocognitive Recovery in Older Adult Patients With Preoperative Sleep Disorders Undergoing Spinal Anesthesia

“…2,3 Sleep disorders are critical risk factors among the various risk factors for DNR after surgery. [4][5][6] Meanwhile, aging is an independent risk factor for sleep disorders. 7 Preclinical studies have shown that sleep disorders aggravate cognitive impairment after surgery in older adult mice but not in adult mice, suggesting that aging is more sensitive to sleep disorders and may contribute to DNR.…”

“…2,12,13 However, no study has explored the specific risk factors for DNR in patients with preoperative sleep disorders. Considering the relationship between sleep and postoperative cognitive function, especially in older adult patients, 3,6,14,15 it is necessary to link these 2 main risk factors (preoperative sleep disorders and DNR) that impair the perioperative brain health to explore potential biomarkers.…”