Risk Factors for the Development of Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that a large number of patients undergoing surgery show a measurable cognitive deterioration after surgery, while many of them still show cognitive deficits even three months later an operation. These specific cognitive deficits in which there is a temporal association between surgery and mental disorders are defined as postoperative impairment of cognitive function. Among cognitive disorders occurring during the postoperative period, the post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is less studied.

AIM: Risk factors concerning POCD will be overviewed in order to be considered as a measure of prevention of POCD.

METHOD: A literature search using combined keywords was undertaken on bibliographic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus and through systematic selection 72 scientific articles were identified. Concerning the selection criteria, the material of this study consists of sources published mainly over the last fifteen years, while some articles that published before 2000 were selected because they were considered to be important.

RESULTS: These disorders frequently occur in patients of advanced age. It is obvious that as the population of humanity ages, many older people are likely to develop health problems that require surgery and therefore a large number of people are likely to develop post-operative cognitive disorders. For the appearance of POCD, as for other mental disorders (e.g. delirium), several factors are implicated. According to the findings, except the advanced age, genetic polymorphism, idiosyncratic condition, the presence of metabolic syndrome and neurological diseases, the type of anaesthesia and surgical operation and sleep disturbance are among the most important risk factors.