Intensive care unit syndrome/delirium is associated with anemia, drug therapy and duration of ventilation treatment.

Background: We have performed a prospective qualitative investigation of the ICU syndrome/delirium; the main parts of which have recently been published. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the ICU syndrome/delirium and age, gender, length of ventilator treatment, length of stay and severity of disease, as well as factors related to arterial oxygenation and the amount of drugs used for sedation/analgesia.

Methods: Nineteen mechanically ventilated patients who had stayed in the ICU for more than 36 h were closely observed during their stay, and interviewed in depth twice after discharge.