Association between discontinuation of benzodiazepine receptor agonists and post-operative delirium among inpatients with liaison intervention: A retrospective cohort study

A case report of benzodiazepine withdrawal delirium due to accidental discontinuation of benzodiazepines in cancer perioperative period

Background

Benzodiazepines are known for their possible risk of delirium, especially when administered to older adults or during the perioperative period. However, the risk of sudden discontinuation of benzodiazepines and subsequent withdrawal delirium seems to be underappreciated and not properly recognized in cancer treatment, even among healthcare workers.

Case Presentation

A man in his late 70s was diagnosed with rectal cancer and had a history of taking etizolam and alprazolam for over 15 years. After hospitalization for cancer, these benzodiazepines were discontinued abruptly 2 days before the surgery, due to concerns about benzodiazepine-related delirium. After half a day, severe benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, such as disorientation, agitation, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and muscle twitching, appeared. The patient was diagnosed with delirium associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal, and his symptoms subsided soon after re-administration of benzodiazepines. Despite development of mild postoperative delirium, the operation was performed safely.

Conclusion

The rapid and abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines before cancer surgery could impose a high risk of benzodiazepine withdrawal delirium in patients, which makes the management of psychiatric symptoms in the perioperative period more complex and difficult. We believe that it is necessary to highlight the risks of withdrawal delirium and abrupt benzodiazepine discontinuation in cancer treatment. Moreover, re-education on this topic is essential for healthcare workers.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery: A single-center retrospective study

Aim

To investigate the risk factors for postoperative delirium among elderly patients undergoing elective surgery for gastroenterological cancer.

Methods

From May 2020 to March 2022, patients ≥75 years old with gastroenterological cancer who underwent radical surgery were enrolled. The geriatric assessment, including evaluations of frailty, physical function, nutrition status, and cognitive function, was conducted preoperatively. The confusion assessment method was used to diagnose postoperative delirium. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for postoperative delirium.

Results

A total of 158 patients were eligible for inclusion in this study. Of these 53 patients (34%) developed postoperative delirium. In the univariate analysis, the age, regular use of sleeping drugs and benzodiazepine, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, performance status, Fried's frailty score, Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 score, grip weakness, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form score, and Mini-Mental State Examination score were statistically associated with the incidence of postoperative delirium. In the multivariate analysis, a SPPB score ≤9, Mini Nutritional Assessment score ≤11, a Mini-Mental State Examination score ≤24, and regular use of benzodiazepine were found to be independent preoperative risk factors for postoperative delirium.

Conclusion

Certain findings during the preoperative geriatric assessment, especially low SPPB, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form and Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and regular use of benzodiazepine were risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery.

Assessment of Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Who Underwent Spinal Surgery and Identifying Associated Biomarkers Using Exosomal Protein

PURPOSE

With an increase in the aging population, the number of patients with degenerative spinal diseases undergoing surgery has risen, as has the incidence of postoperative delirium. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors affecting postoperative delirium in older adults who had undergone spine surgery and to identify the associated biomarkers.

METHODS

This study is a prospective study. Data of 100 patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent spinal surgery were analyzed. Demographic data, medical history, clinical characteristics, cognitive function, depression symptoms, functional status, frailty, and nutritional status were investigated to identify the risk factors for delirium. The Confusion Assessment Method, Delirium Rating Scale-R-98, and Nursing Delirium Scale were also used for diagnosing delirium. To discover the biomarkers, urine extracellular vesicles (EVs) were analyzed for tau, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light, and glial fibrillary acidic protein using digital immunoassay technology.

RESULTS

Nine patients were excluded, and data obtained from the remaining 91 were analyzed. Among them, 18 (19.8%) developed delirium. Differences were observed between participants with and without delirium in the contexts of a history of mental disorder and use of benzodiazepines (p = .005 and p = .026, respectively). Tau and UCH-L1-concentrations of urine EVs-were comparatively higher in participants with severe delirium than that in participants without delirium (p = .002 and p = .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These findings can assist clinicians in accurately identifying the risk factors before surgery, classifying high-risk patients, and predicting and detecting delirium in older patients. Moreover, urine EV analysis revealed that postoperative delirium following spinal surgery is most likely associated with brain damage.

Postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fractures

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent complication in geriatric patients with hip fractures, which is linked to poorer functional recovery, longer hospital stays, and higher short-and long-term mortality. Patients with increased age, preoperative cognitive impairment, comorbidities, perioperative polypharmacy, and delayed surgery are more prone to develop POD after hip fracture surgery. In this narrative review, we outlined the latest findings on postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fractures, focusing on its pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Perioperative risk prediction, avoidance of certain medications, and orthogeriatric comprehensive care are all examples of effective interventions. Choices of anesthesia technique may not be associated with a significant difference in the incidence of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fractures. There are few pharmaceutical measures available for POD treatment. Dexmedetomidine and multimodal analgesia may be effective for managing postoperative delirium, and adverse complications should be considered when using antipsychotics. In conclusion, perioperative risk intervention based on orthogeriatric comprehensive care is the most effective strategy for preventing postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fractures.

Bumetanide prevents diazepam-modified anxiety-like behavior in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice

Benzodiazepine receptor agonists are widely prescribed therapeutic agents that alter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor activity and have anxiolytic effects. Post-operative use of benzodiazepines is a risk factor of delirium. Inflammatory conditions alter the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepine. We investigated the effect of diazepam, a typical benzodiazepine anxiolytic, on changes in the emotional behavior of mice in a hole-board test after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Diazepam dose-dependently increased the number of head-dips at doses that did not alter locomotor activity; however, diazepam dose-dependently significantly decreased the number of head-dips at doses that did not alter locomotor activity in LPS-treated mice. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, normalized the decrease in head-dipping behavior caused by diazepam treatment in normal and LPS-treated mice. The decrease of the head-dipping effect caused by diazepam was attenuated by minocycline in LPS-treated mice. We further found that the decrease in head-dipping behavior caused by diazepam was blocked by bumetanide, a Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) antagonist, in LPS-treated mice. These findings suggest that diazepam induces the anxiety-like behavior under inflammation conditions, and may cause the GABAA receptor dysfunction associated with the chloride plasticity mediated by NKCC1, which contributes to benzodiazepine-induced delirium after surgery.