1. Exploring the role of calf circumference as a predisposing factor for intra-hospital delirium: investigating potential gender differences: revealing potential gender variances
- Author
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Chiara Ceolin, Mario Virgilio Papa, Cristina Simonato, Sara Cazzavillan, Margherita Vergadoro, Giulia Salerno Trapella, Riccardo Sermasi, Marina De Rui, Marianna Noale, Bruno Micael Zanforlini, Chiara Curreri, Anna Bertocco, Maria Devita, Giuseppe Sergi, and Alessandra Coin
- Subjects
Delirium ,Older adults ,Calf circumference ,Sarcopenia ,Nutritional status ,Geriatrics ,RC952-954.6 - Abstract
Abstract Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia significantly increase the risk of intra-hospital delirium, particularly among older adults. Given the potential correlation between calf circumference (CC) and these conditions, CC emerges as a promising predisposing factor for delirium. This study aims to investigate the independent association between delirium and anthropometric parameters, focusing on evaluating CC’s predictive capacity for intra-hospital delirium risk. Additionally, it aims to compare CC’s predictive performance with the widely used Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), while also considering potential gender disparities. Methods This is a retrospective study which enrolled patients aged ≥ 65 years from September 2021 to March 2022 at the Padova Hospital (Italy). Physical characteristics, intra-hospital delirium incidence, and body composition were assessed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the 2019 European Consensus criteria. Results Among 207 subjects, delirium affected 19% of patients. CC showed a significant association with intra-hospital delirium among the analyzed anthropometric parameters. ROC curves indicated that CC’s predictive capacity for delirium onset was comparable to MNA (p = 0.98), particularly in women. In a multivariable logistic regression model, female gender and higher cognitive and CC scores emerged as protective factors against delirium onset, with each unit increase in CC associated with a 24% reduction in the odds of delirium. Conversely, sarcopenia did not significantly influence delirium onset. Conclusions CC shows promise as a predisposing factor for intra-hospital delirium, similar to MNA, albeit with significant gender differences. CC could serve as a valuable tool for assessing delirium risk among female patients. Further validation of these findings is necessary through larger-scale studies.
- Published
- 2024
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