ICU Delirium Patterns and 30‐Day Mortality in Critically Ill Adults

ABSTRACT Background Delirium in critically ill patients is not an all‐or‐none condition. It often follows fluctuating patterns—such as resolution, recurrence or persistence—but how these delirium patterns relate to mortality remains unclear. Aim This study aimed to investigate delirium patterns associated with ICU and 30‐day mortality following ICU admission. Study Design This prospective cohort study included adult patients admitted to six medical ICUs who were prospectively monitored for delirium once daily for up to 14 days or until ICU discharge. Participants were classified into four delirium‐pattern groups: no delirium (no ICU‐acquired delirium), resolved delirium (sustained negative assessments after initial delirium), recurrent delirium (delirium recurrence after at least two consecutive days without delirium) and persistent delirium (persistent delirium with fewer than two consecutive delirium‐free days). ICU and 30‐day mortality of ICU admission were recorded by an independent assessor. Results Among 253 classified participants, 158 (62.5%) experienced delirium. Patients were categorized into the four delirium groups: no delirium ( n = 95; 37.5%), resolved delirium ( n = 44; 17.4%), recurrent delirium ( n = 29; 11.5%) and persistent delirium ( n = 85; 33.6%). Independent of covariates, participants with recurrent delirium (aHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.57–3.96) and persistent delirium (aHR, 2.03; 95% CI, 0.85–4.81) did not associate with increased ICU mortality. However, 30 days following ICU admission, those with persistent delirium had a 2.99‐fold increase in mortality (aHR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.53–5.83), and those with recurrent delirium had a 2.68‐fold increase in mortality (aHR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.18–6.07). Patients with resolved delirium had mortality rates comparable to those in the no delirium group. Conclusion Only specific ICU delirium patterns—recurrent and persistent delirium—are associated with higher ICU and 30‐day mortality. Relevance to Clinical Practice Although prevention remains critical, timely and effective delirium management aimed at rapid resolution is equally essential to reducing mortality risk. Recognizing and distinguishing these delirium patterns is therefore imperative for targeted clinical intervention. Prevention and treatment in the most vulnerable group of patients with delirium require more research. Clinical Trial Registration Clinical Trials Registry (Trial No: NCT 04206306).