RESUMEN
Introduction: Delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is a common disorder which is characterized by non-specific brain dysfuncion and is associated with increased mortality [1]. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2 is associated with increased delirium rates through various mechanisms including hypoxaemia, circulation of inflammatory mediators and direct central nervous system damage [2]. Due to life-threatening respiratory manifestations in COVID-19 patients delirium is often underestimated. Aim of the study was to record the pharmacologic treatment of delirium in ICU patients treated with non-invasive ventilation and the differences in delirium treatment between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Method(s): Consecutive patients with respiratory failure were retrospectively included. All patients were hospitalized in the ICU and noninvasive ventilation was applied. Patient characteristics, length of ICU stay and medication were recorded. Result(s): Totally 64 patients were included (33 patients with COVID- 19). Pharmacologic management of delirium included administration of remifentanyl, dexmedetomidine, propofol and combinations of the above. COVID-19 patients were younger (61 vs 70.4 years, p = 0.02), had longer ICU hospitalization (p < 0.001) and needed longer intravenous medication administration (p = 0.001). Additionally, the proportion of patients with COVID-19 treated with intravenous medication due to delirium was higher than non-COVID-19 patients (81.8% vs 48.4%, p = 0.008). COVID-19 seemed to have worse outcomes than non-COVID-19 patients and this difference tended to be statistically significant (p = 0.09). Conclusion(s): Delirium is quite common and requires aggressive treatment among COVID-19 patients, despite being younger than non- COVID-19 patients. Physicians should be vigilant to assess and manage delirium to improve the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 patients.