ArticleBMJ open2026
Exploring the association between medication, patient-specific factors and delirium in hospitalised patients: a 10-year retrospective, population-based cohort study in Iceland.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
objectivesThis study aimed to identify potential significant statistical associations between the development of delirium, medication and several other patient-specific factors across a 10-year retrospective longitudinal real-world dataset.
designA retrospective, population-based cohort study.
settingThe National University Hospital of Iceland.
participantsAll patients≥18 years hospitalised between 2010 and 2020. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was a diagnosis of delirium within 2 years of a patient filling a prescription for a specific medication. The exposure was pre-admission medication use or a pre-existing condition. Secondary outcomes included mortality, length of hospital stay, readmission rate and frequency of additional delirium diagnosis.
resultsA total of 85 942 admissions and readmissions were included in the dataset, which comprised 1066 variables. The cohort comprised 55 495 patients (51.5% male) with a median [IQR] age of 71 years [58, 82]. Throughout the study, 3533 patients were diagnosed with delirium at least once over the 10-year study period. A statistically significant association (χ
conclusionNumerous medications and other patient-specific risk factors have been identified, which underlines the complexity of delirium development. To strengthen patient safety and hinder the development of delirium, an increased emphasis is needed to review medication use and improve our understanding of medication risk associated with delirium cause, treatment and prevention. Specific prescribing/deprescribing advice should be developed to inform prescribing practice and patient safety.
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