The Epidemiological Study Of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction In The Elderly Surgical Patient

Objectives: To study the incidence of postoperative cognitive function (POCD) in the elderly non-cardiac surgical patients and to explore the underlying risk factorsMethods: 66 patients aged at least 60 years completed neuropsychological tests and Zung's mood scale before and 1 week after major non-cardiac surgery. We identified POCD compared with 30 controls, based on Z-score method. Then, we used multiple logistic regression to investigate associations between risk factors and POCD.Results: At 1 week after surgery, we found POCD in 14 of patients. A significant relation was found between POCD and postoperative complications and blood loss more than 400 ml.Conclusion: POCD was present in 21.2% elderly patients 1 week after major non-cardiac surgery. Postoperative complications and blood loss more than 400 ml were possible risk factors for POCD.