Biochemical parameters for delirium in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19

Background: Delirium marked by its significant impact on mortality during the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, exhibits different biochemical parameters.Objective: The objective of this study was to identify differences in biochemical parameters among patients who developed delirium during hospitalization, with and without COVID-19.Methods: Retrospective single-center study, persons aged 65 and older with delirium were enrolled, comparing those with and without COVID-19.Analyses encompassed biochemical parameters, comorbidities, hospital stays, and 30-day mortality.Descriptive and inferential statistics were incorporated.Results: Among 157 delirium patients, 61 had COVID-19.The COVID-19 group, characterized by older age, higher sodium, and lower albumin levels, extended hospital stays, and higher mortality, exhibited a significant difference in 30-day mortality through Kaplan-Meier analysis.Cox regression revealed a negative association between lower albumin levels and increased mortality.In the subgroup analysis, non-COVID-19 patients with mortality displayed lower glucose and albumin levels and prolonged hospital stays compared to the survival group.COVID-19 patients with mortality had lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and albumin levels; and higher potassium compared to the survival group.Conclusion: We identified biochemical differences between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients with delirium.Lower albumin levels were associated with increased mortality in delirium across both populations.