Introduction Delirium is a major problem in modern critical care medicine. No study to date established the predictive role of alcohol associated biomarkers, Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and the γ-glutamyltransferase-CDT derived Anttila-Index, for intensive care unit (ICU)-delirium. Furthermore, the role of sex related disparities in outcomes after ICU-delirium is unclear. Methods In a first project, a prospective observational study, including 343 consecutive patients admitted to our medical ICU between February and November 2022, was conducted the occurrence of delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), its association with biomarkers of alcohol abuse measured on the day of ICU admission was investigated. In a second project, a retrospective cohort study using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV) database was conducted. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality following delirium onset. To control for baseline differences in demographics, illness severity, and comorbidities, we applied 1:1 propensity score matching. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between sex and mortality. Results In the first project, CDT, and particularly the derived Anttila Index, were shown to be independently associated with the development of delirium, prolonged delirium duration, and increased mortality in critically ill patients. Results of the second project in more than 7000 patients suggest, that women with ICU-delirium have a significantly higher risk of short-term mortality than men.
Potential Role of Alcohol-Associated Biomarkers in Predicting ICU-Delirium and Sex-Specific Differences in Short-Term Mortality After ICU-Delirium
Schreiber, N. (Autor/-in). 2025
Studienabschlussarbeit: Dissertation