Critical appraisal of a systematic review on biomarkers as diagnostic or prognostic indicators of delirium

Abstract

Delirium is a substantial global health concern. Delirium can lead to longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. Effective detection and prevention of delirium is still a major challenge for healthcare organisations globally. This is largely because the cause(s) of the condition are still unknown. There are multiple factors that may contribute to the aetiology of delirium and a range of neurobiological processes that may be associated with its pathophysiology. Evidencing these processes is a significant challenge, as there is a dearth of identification methods. The use of biomarkers has become a popular method in the identification of delirium and its risk of development. The identification of biomarkers associated with delirium may provide insight into its pathophysiology and aid in diagnosis and management. However, there is a lack of research that has synthesised the diagnostic and prognostic value of biomarkers associated with delirium, and how they could be employed to improve patient outcomes. A systematic review by Dunne et al (2021) was undertaken to explore this association of biomarkers and delirium. This commentary aims to critically appraise the methods used within the review by Dunne et al (2021) and expand on the findings in the context of clinical practice.