Table 1

Risk factors for delirium in ICU patients

Host factors
Factors of critical illness
Iatrogenic factors

Age (older)
Acidosis
Immobilization (for example, catheters, restraints)
Alcoholism
Anemia
Medications (for example, opioids, benzodiazepines)
APOE4 polymorphism
Fever/infection/sepsis
Sleep disturbances
Cognitive impairment
Hypotension

Depression
Metabolic disturbances (for example, sodium, calcium, BUN, bilirubin)

Hypertension


Smoking
Respiratory disease

Vision/hearing impairment
High severity of illness


The table includes factors associated with delirium in both intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU studies. APOE4, apolipoprotein E4; BUN, blood urea nitrogen.

Girard et al. Critical Care 2008 12(Suppl 3):S3   doi:10.1186/cc6149