Determinants of Post-Operative Cognitive Decline in Elderly People

Background Surgery and anesthesia can result in temporary or permanent deterioration of the cognitive functions, for which causes remain unclear. Objectives In this pilot study, we analyzed the determinants of cognitive decline following a non-emergency elective prosthesis implantation surgery for hip or knee. Design Prospective single-center study investigating psychomotor response time and changes in MoCA scores between the day before (D-1) and 2 days after (D+2) following surgery at the Lariboisière Hospital (Paris, France). Participants 60 patients (71.9±7.1-year-old, 72% women) were included. Measurements Collected data consisted in sociodemographic data, treatments, comorbidities and the type of anesthesia (local, general or both). Furthermore, we evaluated pain and well-being before as well as after the surgery using point scales. Results Post-operative (D+2) MoCA scores were significantly lower than pre-operative ones (D-1) with a median difference of 2 pts [IQR]=4pts, (p