Investigation of the Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium in Candidates for Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia

Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterizedby acute changes in awareness and consciousness, and disturbances and fluctuations in attention. This study evaluated the frequency of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing general anesthesia for dental procedures and the relevant risk factors. Materials &

In this cross-sectional study, 103 patients who were candidates for dental procedures under general anesthesia in Isfahan Dental School were randomly selected. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium-fentanyl-atracurium in all the patients and maintained with propofol. Dental anxiety was evaluated in all the patients using the DAS-R (Dental Anxiety Score-Revised) questionnairebefore the procedure. In addition, the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) questionnaire was completed 48 hours after the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 25, using independent t-test and regression analysis (α = 0.05).

The results showed that the incidence of delirium in 103 patients undergoing general anesthesia was22 cases (21.4%). The results of linear regression analysis indicated that age was an important and influential factor in the mental status, and orientation to place (p value = 0.002) and time (p value = 0.001) after general anesthesia. The severity of anxiety before anesthesia significantly affected the duration of general anesthesia (p value = 0.01) and orientation to place after general anesthesia (p value = 0.005). Anxiety itself was affected by the age of the patient (p value = 0.01).

Delirium is highly prevalent in patients undergoing general anesthesia for dental procedures. It is critical to identify the risk factors associated with this disorder in order to reduce the incidence of delirium.