Reporting of outcomes and measures in studies of interventions to prevent and/or treat delirium in older adults resident in long-term care: a systematic review

Objectives
to inform development of a core outcome set, we evaluated outcomes, definitions, measures and measurement time points in clinical trials of interventions to prevent and/or treat delirium in older adults resident in long-term care (LTC).

Data sources
we searched electronic databases, systematic review repositories and trial registries (1980 to 10 December 2021).

Study selection and data extraction
we included randomised, quasi-randomised and non-randomised intervention studies. We extracted data on study characteristics, outcomes and measurement features. We assessed outcome reporting quality using the MOMENT study scoring system. We categorised outcomes using the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials taxonomy.

Data synthesis
we identified 18 studies recruiting 5,639 participants. All evaluated non-pharmacological interventions; most (16 studies, 89%) addressed delirium prevention. We identified 12 delirium-specific outcomes (mean [SD] 2.4 [1.5] per study), of which delirium incidence (14 studies, 78%) and severity (6 studies, 33%) were most common. We found heterogeneity in description of outcomes and measurement time points. The Confusion Assessment Method (three versions) was the most common measure used to ascertain delirium incidence (7 of 14 studies, 50%). We identified 25 non-delirium specific outcomes (mean [SD] 4.0 [2.3] per study), with hospital admission the most commonly reported (9 studies, 50%).

Conclusions
we identified few studies of interventions for the prevention or treatment of delirium in older adults resident in LTC. These studies were heterogeneous in the outcomes reported and measures used. These data inform the consensus-building stage of a core outcome set.

Aim

To inform development of a core outcome set, we evaluated outcomes, definitions, measures and measurement time points in clinical trials of interventions to prevent and/or treat delirium in older adults resident in long-term care (LTC).

Contributors

Gregor Russell, Namrata Rana, Rahul Watts, Sefat Roshny, Najma Siddiqi, Louise Rose

Publication

Journal: Age and Ageing
Volume: 51
Issue: 11
Pages: -
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac267

Further Study Information

Current Stage: Completed
Date:
Funding source(s): This review was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).


Health Area

Disease Category: Neurology

Disease Name: Delirium

Target Population

Age Range: 2 - 100

Sex: Either

Nature of Intervention: Nonpharmacological , Drug

Stakeholders Involved

Study Type

- Systematic review of outcomes measured in trials

Method(s)

- Systematic review

Using the OVID platform, we searched Embase, PsycINFO and OVID MEDLINE, including Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations. We also searched the Cochrane Library on Wiley, CINAHL on Ebsco and the Web of Science. All searches were performed on 26 June 2019, updated on 28 July 2020 and finally updated on 10 December 2021