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Our findings have implications for studies of the causes of cognitive decline and,in clinical practice,for the information given to patients before surgery.1218 patients aged at least 60 years completed neuropsychological tests before and 1 week and 3 months after major non- cardiac surgery.Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was present in 266 of patients 1 week after surgery and in 94 3 months after surgery,compared with 3-4%and 2-8%,respectively,of UK controls increasing age and duration of anaesthesia,little education,a second operation,postoperative infections,and respiratory complications were risk factors for early postoperative cognitive dysfunction,but only age was a risk factor for late postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Hypoxaemia and hypotension were not significant risk factors at any time. |
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