Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is one of the most common complications after surgery under general anesthesia and usually manifests as newly presented cognitive impairment. However, the mechanism of POCD is still unclear. In addition to neurons, glial cells including microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, represent a large cell population in the nervous system. The bi-directional communication between neurons and glia provides basis for neural circuit function. Recent studies suggest that glial dysfunctions may contribute to the occurrence and progress of POCD. In this paper, we review the relevant work on POCD, which may provide new insights into the mechanism and therapeutic strategy for POCD.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of dexmedetomidine-parecoxib sodium on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia. MethodsFrom August 2013 to October 2014, 120 elderly patients underwent hip replacement surgical procedures. The patients were randomly divided into four groups (with 30 patients in each group):dexmedetomidine-parecoxib sodium group (group C), dexmedetomidine group (group D), parecoxib sodium group (group P), and saline group (group S). Cognitive function was assessed preoperatively, on the first, 3rd and 7th postoperative day by using mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale. ResultsCompared with the MMSE scores before the surgery, the scores in the four groups on the first postoperative day decreased obviously (P<0.05); the scores in group D, P, and S on the 3rd postoperative day were obviously lower than those before the surgery (P<0.05); the scores in group C on the 3rd postoperative day didn't differ much from that before the surgery (P>0.05); and the scores in group C on the first and 3rd operative day were obviously higher than those in the other 3 groups (P<0.05). The differences in MMSE scores on the 7th operative day among the 4 groups were not significant (P>0.05). After the surgery, the incidence of cognitive dysfunction in group C was significantly lower than those in the other three groups (P<0.05); the incidences of cognitive dysfunction in group D and P were obviously lower than that in group S (P<0.05) while the difference between group D and P was not significant (P>0.05). ConclusionDexmedetomidine-parecoxib sodium can decrease the incidence of early cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip replacement surgery, whose therapeutic effect is better than using dexmedetomidine or parecoxib sodium alone.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the influence of dexmedetomidine on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and serum inflammatory factors in elderly patients.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases from inception to April 2017, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about dexmedetomidine for early POCD in elderly patients. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 23 RCTs, including 2 026 patients were enrolled. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the incidence of POCD in the dexmedetomidine group was lower than that in the control group (the first day: RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.30 to 0.53, P<0.000 01; the third day: RR=0.33, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.48,P<0.000 01; the seventh day: RR=0.42, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.78,P=0.006). Meanwhile, compared with the control group, the dexmedetomidine group significantly decreased the serum levels of TNF-α (immediately after operation: MD=–5.43, 95%CI –7.44 to –3.42, P<0.000 01; 1 h after operation: MD=–4.64, 95%CI –6.92 to –2.36,P<0.000 1; 24 h after operation: MD=–3.27, 95%CI –4.92 to –1.63,P<0.000 1) and IL-6 (immediately after operation: MD=–30.69, 95%CI –41.39 to –20.00,P<0.000 01; 1h after operation: MD=–20.84, 95%CI –28.87 to –12.80,P<0.000 01; 24 h after operation: MD=–13.42, 95%CI –19.90 to –6.94,P<0.000 1).ConclusionCurrent evidence indicates that dexmedetomidine could relief early POCD in elderly patients, in which the reduction of serum inflammatory factors alleviate inflammation response may play a vital role. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, more high quality RCTs are required to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo analyze the risk factors of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients after abdominal surgery. MethodsThe clinical data of 2 286 patients over 60 years old after abdominal surgery were retrospectively analyzed, which were divided into non-POCD group with 2 248 patients and POCD group with 38 patients. The influencing factors of POCD in elderly patients after abdominal surgery, including the age, gender, anesthetic way, the premedication, cormobided with lung or heart disease, diabetes, jaundice, anemia or hypoproteinemia, the duration of surgery, and postoperative analgesia protocols, were analyzed between two groups. ResultsThe age, anesthetic way, cormobided with lung or heart disease, diabetes, jaundice, with or without continuous postoperative effective analgesia, and surgery duration over four hours were relevant with POCD (Plt;0.05), while gender, the premedication, and preexisted anemia or hypoproteinemia were not relevant with that (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionAge over 70 years, general anaesthesia, cormobided with lung or heart disease, diabetes, jaundice, surgery duration over four hours, and incomplete postoperative analgesia are the risk factors of POCD after abdominal surgery.
ObjectiveTo study the correlation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) with type-2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in elderly patients. MethodsA total of 140 elderly patients who were going to undergo non-cardiothoracic surgery in our hospital between January 2011 and February 2013 were included in this study.ASA classification was between I and Ⅲ.There were 78 males and 62 females,aged between 65 and 86 years old.Group A had 70 patients with diabetes,while group B had another 70 corresponding patients without diabetes.One day before surgery and a week after surgery,Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Functioning Scale (MoCA) were used to test patients'cognitive function,and the incidence of POCD was compared between the two groups.Group A patients,according to HbA1c levels,were divided into group AH (HbA1c>7.5%) and group AL (HbA1c<7.5%).And we compared the relationship between group AL and group B,and the relationship between group AH and group B. ResultsThe incidence of POCD in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (P<0.05).Group AH had a significantly higher incidence of POCD than group AL (P<0.05).No significant difference was found in fasting plasma glucose among the groups. ConclusionElderly diabetic patients with poor glycemic control is a risk factor for POCD occurrence,but fasting glucose as a predictor of POCD is not as good as HbA1C.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effect of Dexmedetomidine (Dex) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) of Chinese patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. MethodsWe searched databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to April 2015, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about evaluating the effect of Dex on POCD of Chinese patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. ResultsA total of 8 RCTs were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:compared with the control group, the MMSE scores of the Dex group were higher after surgeries in the first day (MD=1.46, 95%CI 0.98 to 1.95, P<0.000 01), the second day (MD=2.46, 95%CI 2.11 to 2.81, P<0.000 01), the third day (MD=1.81, 95%CI 0.37 to 3.25, P=0.01) and the seventh day (WMD=2.03, 95%CI 1.64 to 2.43, P<0.000 01). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the usage of Dex during abdominal surgeries can reduce the incidence of POCD in Chinese patients. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common and important complication after cardiac surgery. The pathological reactions caused by cardiac surgery, such as traumatic stress reaction, inflammation, hemodynamics disorders, and blood coagulation dysfunction, by triggering central inflammation, ischemia, hypoxia and ischemia-reperfusion injury and other mechanisms, leading to brain function-impairment, causing the development of POCD. According to the above mechanisms, taking corresponding protective measures, reducing the development of POCD, and improving the quality of life after cardiac surgery are of great importance.
Objective To investigate the prevalence of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery and analyze its influencing factors, so as to provide evidence for early screening and intervention of POD. Methods The medical records of elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The included patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group. The patients’ demographic characteristics, medical history, laboratory indicators, perioperative medication, intraoperative and postoperative indicators were collected to analyze the risk factors affecting POD. Results A total of 455 elderly patients were included. Among them, there were 75 cases in the POD group and 380 cases in the non-POD group. The incidence of POD was 16.5% (75/455). There were statistically significant differences in age, body mass index, number of combined underlying diseases≥3, albumin<35 g/L, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, intraoperative blood loss≥200 mL, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, indwelling catheters, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and length of ICU stay between the two groups (P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that age≥79 years, number of combined underlying diseases≥3, albumin<35 g/L, intraoperative blood loss≥200 mL, ASA grade≥Ⅲ, postoperative VAS score, and postoperative admission to ICU (P<0.05) were independent influencing factors for POD occurrence in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Conclusions POD is one of the common postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Age≥79 years, number of combined underlying diseases≥3, albumin<35 g/L, intraoperative blood loss≥200 mL, ASA grade≥Ⅲ, postoperative VAS score, and postoperative admission to ICU are independent risk factors for POD in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Clinical staff should evaluate and screen these factors early and take preventive measures to reduce the incidence of POD.
Objective To explore the effect of preoperative hypothyroidism on postoperative cognition dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients after on-pump cardiac surgery. Methods Patients who were no younger than 50 years and scheduled to have on-pump cardiac surgeries were selected in West China Hospital from March 2016 to December 2017. Based on hormone levels, patients were divided into two groups: a hypo group (hypothyroidism group, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) >4.2 mU/L or free triiodothyronine 3 (FT3) <3.60 pmol/L or FT4 <12.0 pmol/L) and an eu group (euthyroidism group, normal TSH, FT3 and FT4). The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test and a battery of neuropsychological tests were used by a fixed researcher to assess cognitive function on 1 day before operation and 7 days after operation. Primer outcome was the incidence of POCD. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of cognitive degradation, scores or time cost in every aspect of cognitive function. Results No matter cognitive function was assessed by MMSE or a battery of neuropsychological tests, the incidence of POCD in the hypo group was higher than that of the eu group. The statistical significance existed when using MMSE (55.56% vs. 26.67%, P=0.014) but was absent when using a battery of neuropsychological tests (55.56% vs. 44.44%, P=0.361). The incidence of cognitive deterioration in the hypo group was higher than that in the eu group in verbal fluency test (48.15% vs. 20.00%, P=0.012). The cognitive deterioration incidence between the hypo group and the eu group was not statistically different in the other aspects of cognitive function. There was no statistical difference about scores or time cost between the hypo group and the eu group in all the aspects of cognitive function before surgery. After surgery, the scores between the hypo group and the eu group was statistically different in verbal fluency test (26.26±6.55 vs. 30.23±8.00, P=0.023) while was not statistically significant in other aspects of cognitive function. Conclusion The incidence of POCD is high in the elderly patients complicated with hypothyroidism after on-pump cardiac surgery and words reserve, fluency, and classification of cognitive function are significantly impacted by hypothyroidism over than other domains, which indicates hypothyroidism may have close relationship with POCD in this kind of patients.