BACKGROUND: Anaesthesia could provoke persistent alterations in specific cognitive domains in the elderly where ageing-related neuronal changes may exacerbate pharmacotoxic effects. AIMS: To evaluate anaesthesia effects on the incidence of cognitive dysfunction after orthopaedic surgery in elderly patients. METHOD: A total of 140 patients over the age of 64 years completed a full range of computerised cognitive tests. The study takes into account effects of pre-operative cognitive dysfunction, depressive symptomatology and ability to perform activities of daily living. RESULTS: Postoperative cognitive decline persisted for up to 3 months in 56% of subjects. Dysfunction was limited to verbal, visuo-spatial and semantic abilities and secondary and implicit memory. Age, low educational level, pre-operative cognitive impairment or depression are risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive functions are not equally affected, type of impairment being determined by the risk factors described above and anaesthesia type.
BACKGROUND: Anaesthesia could provoke persistent alterations in specific cognitive domains in the elderly where ageing-related neuronal changes may exacerbate pharmacotoxic effects. AIMS: To evaluate anaesthesia effects on the incidence of cognitive dysfunction after orthopaedic surgery in elderly patients. METHOD: A total of 140 patients over the age of 64 years completed a full range of computerised cognitive tests. The study takes into account effects of pre-operative cognitive dysfunction, depressive symptomatology and ability to perform activities of daily living. RESULTS:Postoperative cognitive decline persisted for up to 3 months in 56% of subjects. Dysfunction was limited to verbal, visuo-spatial and semantic abilities and secondary and implicit memory. Age, low educational level, pre-operative cognitive impairment or depression are risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive functions are not equally affected, type of impairment being determined by the risk factors described above and anaesthesia type.
Authors: Judith A Hudetz; Kathleen M Patterson; Alison J Byrne; Zafar Iqbal; Sweeta D Gandhi; David C Warltier; Paul S Pagel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2009-10-27 Impact factor: 3.390