Prevalence and risk factors for delirium in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (COVID-D): a multicentre cohort study

“It was a nightmare until I saw my wife”: the importance of family presence for patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the ICU

“…Quantitative and qualitative research has shown that this restriction was an extremely difficult and even harmful experience for both family members and ICU clinicians [ 1 , 2 ]. Lack of visits is a well-known risk factor for delirium [ 3 ] and studies have shown that extending visiting policies can strongly reduce both the incidence of delirium and its length [ 4 ]. In this qualitative pilot study that included semi-structured interviews with 12 ICU survivors of the COVID-19 9–10 months after their discharge, we sought to better understand the experience of patients’ hospitalization in the ICU during the first wave of the pandemic (Supplemental material).…”

Neurological complications of COVID-19

“…Delirium and coma are diagnosed in more than 50% and 80% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19, respectively. Notably, a high exposure to sedatives, mainly benzodiazepines has been independently associated with higher rates of delirium [ 7 ]. After cessation of sedatives, patients with severe respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 may have a prolonged period of unconsciousness which may be weeks before complete recovery [ 8 ].…”

Neurological Complications of COVID-19: Underlying Mechanisms and Management

“…Evaluation of the current literature does not indicate any changes or interim recommendations for COVID-19 patients that differ from the current recommended guidelines for the treatment and management of encephalopathy. However, because encephalopathy has been identified as a frequent finding among older COVID-19 patients [130] and is associated with poorer outcomes among this cohort [3,131], there has been hypervigilance in testing for COVID-19 among these patients. Following the diagnosis of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, or ANE, recommendations are to start with CSF PCR analysis for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 or other potential contributing viral infections such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) [132].…”