Purpose: Our study was done to evaluate the influence of postoperative delirium on the prognosis of hip arthroplasty, and risk factors for postoperative delirium in individuals older than 65.
Materials and Methods: Among patients who received hip arthroplasty in our hospital (WCH) between March 2004 and March 2008, we chose 193 patients for our study after excluding patients who had preoperative delirium and who had a history of dementia and cognitive dysfunction. We divided our cohort of 193 patients into two groups, 131 patients with postoperative delirium and 62 patients without delirium. We checked for clinical results for hip arthroplasty. We checked for multiple factors related to delirium.
Results: The mean hospital stay was 42.4±14.0 in the delirium group and 20.4±4.3 in the control group; the difference was significant. The mean preoperative cumulative ambulation score was 1.9±1.2 in the delirium group and 3.1±1.7 in the control group; the difference was significant. In 2 individuals of the control group and 4 of the delirium group, dislocation developed;and there was significant difference. There was a high prevalence of delirium among patients with hip fractures, and of histories of psychiatric diseases, alcohol abuse, liver cirrhosis and cerebral vascular disease. The delirium group had a significantly longer stay in the intensive care unit. On admission, the delirium group had significantly lower sodium and albumin compared to controls.
Conclusion: Because postoperative delirium after hip arthroplasty makes the prognosis worse, preoperative evaluation and management of risk factors is necessary.

Keywords: Hip arthroplasty, Delirium, Elderly