Inflammatory markers differed before and during delirium in hospitalized adults
A review found higher immune-related blood measures in people with delirium, with some differences present before the condition developed.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found differences in blood markers between hospitalized adults with and without delirium. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was higher before onset among people who later developed delirium, while other measures were elevated during episodes. These associations support further research into inflammation, but do not establish a cause, a diagnostic test, or an effective preventive treatment.
The authors report heterogeneity and caution against applying pooled findings to specific populations. This abstract-based explanation cannot assess sampling schedules or the clinical usefulness of individual markers.
What researchers found
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio before delirium
Those who later developed delirium versus those who did not; the interval between blood sampling and onset was not reported.
Reading the blood-cell ratio
People who later developed delirium had an average blood-cell ratio 1.00 unit higher before onset. The confidence interval spans 0.53–1.48 units higher. This is an absolute difference in the ratio, not a multiplication or percentage change.
Markers during delirium
During delirium, the strongest evidence concerned higher interleukin-6, cortisol, and leukocyte counts. These were differences between groups; they do not show that changing the markers would improve patients’ outcomes.
The original publication
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Role of Peripheral Inflammation in Delirium.
Moorey HC, McCluskey-White LM, Andleeb S et al.
Brain Behav · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41116628
- Record checked
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