Higher Acute Postoperative Pain Intensity is Likely Associated with the Occurrence of Postoperative Delirium after Non-cardiac Surgery

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is common, with a reported incidence rate of 7-26% after non-cardiac surgery. ⁽¹⁾ Postsurgical pain is frequent and can be severe in intensity. ⁽²⁾ The association between postsurgical pain and POD is biologically plausible. ⁽³⁾ The evidence regarding such association has not been previously summarized. 

Objectives: We conducted this systematic review of observational studies to evaluate the association between acute postoperative pain and POD in adults undergoing non-cardiac surgery. We also evaluated the role of acute postoperative pain as a predictor of POD after non-cardiac surgery.