Identifying the most effective ways to support career development of early stage investigators in clinical and translational science should yield benefits for the biomedical research community. Institutions with Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) offer KL2 programs to facilitate career development; however, the sustained impact has not been widely assessed.

A survey comprised of quantitative and qualitative questions was sent to 2144 individuals that had previously received support through CTSA KL2 mechanisms. The 547 responses were analyzed with identifying information redacted.

Respondents held MD (47%), PhD (36%), and MD/PhD (13%) degrees. After KL2 support was completed, physicians’ time was divided 50% to research and 30% to patient care, whereas PhD respondents devoted 70% time to research. Funded research effort averaged 60% for the cohort. Respondents were satisfied with their career progression. More than 95% thought their current job was meaningful. Two-thirds felt confident or very confident in their ability to sustain a career in clinical and translational research. Factors cited as contributing to career success included protected time, mentoring, and collaborations.

This first large systematic survey of KL2 alumni provides valuable insight into the group’s perceptions of the program and outcome information. Former scholars are largely satisfied with their career choice and direction, national recognition of their expertise, and impact of their work. Importantly, they identified training activities that contributed to success. Our results and future analysis of the survey data should inform the framework for developing platforms to launch sustaining careers of translational scientists.

Delirium, which is associated with adverse health outcomes, is poorly detected in hospital settings. This study aimed to determine delirium occurrence among older medical inpatients and to capture associated risk factors.

This prospective cohort study was performed at an Irish University Hospital. Medical inpatients 70 years and over were included. Baseline assessments within 72 hours of admission included delirium status and severity as determined by the Revised Delirium Rating Scale (DRS-R-98), cognition, physical illness severity and physical functioning. Pre-existing cognitive impairment was determined with Short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline (IQCODE). Serial assessment of delirium status, cognition and the physical illness severity were undertaken every 3 (±1) days during participants’ hospital admission.

Of 198 study participants, 92 (46.5%) were women and mean age was 80.6 years (s.d. 6.81; range 70–97). Using DRS-R-98, 17.7% (n = 35) had delirium on admission and 11.6% (n = 23) had new-onset delirium during admission. In regression analysis, older age, impaired cognition and lower functional ability at admission were associated with a significant likelihood of delirium.

In this study, almost one-third of older medical inpatients in an acute hospital had delirium during admission. Findings that increasing age, impaired cognition and lower functional ability at admission were associated with increased delirium risk suggest target groups for enhanced delirium detection and prevention strategies. This may improve clinical outcomes.

The recent DSM-5 criteria for delirium can lead to different rates of delirium and different case identification.

The aims of this study were to determine how the new DSM-5 criteria might differ from the previous DSM-IV in detecting rates of delirium in elderly medical inpatients and to investigate the agreement between different methods, including the DSM III, DSM III-R, DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria.

Prospective, observational study of elderly patients aged 70+ admitted under the acute medical teams in a regional general hospital. Each participant was assessed within 3 days using the DSM-5, and DSM-IV criteria plus the DRS-R98, CAM and MoCA scales.

The studied sample included 200 patients. The prevalence rates of delirium for each diagnostic system/scale were respectively for DSM-5 n=26 (13.0%), DSM-IV n=39 (19.5%), DRS-R98 n=27 (13.5%) and for CAM n=34 (17.0%). Using tetrachoric correlation coefficients the agreement between DSM-5 and DSM-IV was statistically significant (rhotetr=0.64, SE= 0.1, p<0.0001). Similar significant agreement was found between the four methods.

DSM-IV identifies more delirium cases compared to any other method and DSM-5 is the more restrictive. These classification systems identify different cases of delirium. This could have clinical, financial and research implications. However, both classification systems (and their antecedents) have significant agreement in the identification of the same concept (delirium). Clarity of diagnosis is required for classification but also has implications for prediction of outcomes, further research looking at outcomes could assist a more in depth evaluation of the DSM-5 criteria.

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric disorder. The natural course is of an acute, fluctuating and often transient condition; however, accumulating evidence suggests delirium can be associated with incomplete recovery. Despite the growing body of relevant research, a lack of clarity exists regarding definition and outcomes.

To clarify the definition of recovery of delirium used in the literature.

A Medline search was performed using relevant keywords. Studies were included if they were in English, provided any definition of recovery, and were longitudinal. Excluded articles were duplicated studies, case studies, review articles or articles related to alcohol, children, subsyndromal delirium only or those investigating core symptoms such as function.

Fifty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies used clinical criteria alone for the diagnosis of delirium, most studies used at least one validated scale, either categorical or continuous severity scales. A variety of 16 different terms were used to define the 'recovery of delirium”. The definitions of each term also varied. Studies using severity scales used either cut-off points or percentage reduction between assessments while others using dichotomous scales (yes/ no) defined as recovery one or more days of negative delirium as the end point.

An agreed terminology to define recovery in delirium is required. A distinction should also be made between symptomatic and overall recovery as well as between long and short term outcomes. It is proposed that cognition recovery may be used as outcome to identify recovery of delirium.

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome with considerable heterogeneity that includes a variety of clinical (motor) subtypes. Because delirium is typically highly fluctuating, understanding the longitudinal stability of subtypes is crucial to evaluating their relevance to treatment and outcome.

to examine the changes (variability) in motor subtype profile in patients with delirium over serial assessment using the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale, and to investigate predictors of variability.

We studied motor subtype profile of patients with delirium assessed daily over a week in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. A Generalized Estimating Equations Model examined possible predictors of change in motor subtype status, including baseline variables and delirium course.

We included 118 patients developing DSM-IV delirium after hip-surgery [mean age 87.0±6.5 years; range 65–102; 66% females]. At first assessment, hyperactive subtype was most common (49%), followed by hypoactive (31%) and mixed subtype (14%), with 6% of delirious patients not fulfilling criteria of any DMSS-defined motor subtype. Almost two-thirds (n=69) of these patients underwent at least one more assessment, and for these 45 (57%) remained stable in motor subtype over time, while the rest 34 (43%) underwent change. A range of baseline characteristics were not significant predictors of variability in subtype profile.

Motor subtype profile is typically stable for orthopaedic patients with delirium. Thus evidence from cross-sectional studies of motor subtypes can be applied to many patients with delirium. Further longitudinal studies can clarify the stability of motor subtypes across different clinical populations.

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with serious adverse healthcare outcomes. It is misdiagnosed in over 50% of cases across healthcare settings.

To document the point prevalence of delirium across an acute general hospital and identify factors associated with accurate detection by medical and nursing staff, as well as patient and carer recognition.

Adult in-patients in Cork University Hospital on 15.05.2010 were assessed for inattention, delirium symptoms with the Revised Delirium Rating Scale (DRS-R98) and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), and pre-existing cognitive impairment with the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline (IQCODE). Recognition by patients/carers and nursing staff was assessed through direct questioning, while recognition by the treating medical team was assessed through casenote review.

311 were recruited (87% of inpatients). 55(18%) had delirium. Pre-existing cognitive decline was detected in 28 delirious patients(51%). of those with delirium, 17 (31%) were aware of their own confusion, 35(64%) were recognised by nursing staff, and 24 (44%) had delirium documented in medical casenotes. Predictors of recognition in medical casenotes were the severity of inattention, short-term memory impairment and being managed by a medical rather than surgical team. for nurse recognition, predictors were severity of delusions, affective lability, inattention and long-term memory impairment. for patient self-recognition, acuity of onset and disorientation were predictors.

Delirium is present in approximately one in five hospitalised inpatients at any time. Under-detection is common. Factors linked to accurate detection can inform educational and other efforts to improve delirium recognition.

Cognitive impairment during acute illness in older patients is acknowledged, although factors that underpin this condition are less well studied.

To investigated the relationship between cognitive recovery and a range of clinical and biological variables.

Observational and longitudinal study. Participants were consecutive patients aged ≥70 years assessed within 3 days of their admission to elderly medical unit and re-assessed twice weekly with the DRS, CAM, MMSE, APACHE II, APS, Barthel index, frailty scale. Cytokines and APOE genotype were measured in a subsample.

142 patients were analysed [mean age 84.8±6.4; 47 (33%) male; 64, (45% with comorbid dementia]. 55 (39%) experienced cognitive improvement, of which 30 (54.5%) had delirium while 25 had non-delirious acute cognitive disorder. Using bivariate statistics, subjects with more severe acute illness, lower IGF-I levels and more severe delirium were more likely to experience ≥ 20% improvement in MMSE scores. When the criterion of cognitive improvement was a 3 point improvement in MMSE, those with more severe delirium, females and greater age were more likely to improve. Longitudinal analysis using any criterion of improvement indicated that improvement was significantly (p<0.05) predicted by higher levels of IGF-I, lower levels of IL-1 (alpha and beta), lack of APOE epsilon 4 allele, female gender and the interactions of APOE genotype with IGF-I, and dementia with IGF-I.

Cognitive recovery during admission is not exclusively linked to delirium status, but reflects a range of factors. The character and relevance of non-delirious acute cognitive disorder warrants further study

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome with considerable heterogeneity in clinical profile. Rapid reliable identification of clinical subtypes can allow for more targeted and research efforts.

The aims of this study are to evaluate the concurrent validity (agreement) and reliability (internal consistency) of DMSS-4 in a new cohort of delirious hospitalised patients.

We explored the concordance in attribution of motor subtypes between the DMSS-4 and the original DMSS (assessed cross-sectionally) and subtypes defined longitudinally using the Delirium Symptom Interview (DSI) method.

We included 118 elderly patients developing DSM-IV delirium after hip-surgery [mean age 87.0±6.5 years; range 65–102; 66% females; 28 (23.7%) had no previous history of cognitive impairment]. Concordance was high for both the DMSS-4 and original DMSS (k=0.80), and for the DMSS-4 and DSI methods (k=0.82). The DMSS-4 also demonstrated high internal consistency (McDonald's omega = 0.78). The DMSS-11 and DMSS-4 had higher inclusion for motor subtypes than the DSI method.

The DMSS-4 provides an ultra-rapid means of identifying motor-defined clinical subtypes of delirium and is a reliable alternative to the more detailed and time-consuming original DMSS and DSI methods of subtype attribution. The DMSS-4 can be readily applied to further studies of causation, treatment and outcome in delirium.

The application of recovery principles within everyday mental health services is understudied.

We studied the implementation of a programme of intensive case management (ICM) emphasizing recovery principles in an Irish community mental health service.

Eighty service attenders with severe and enduring illness were randomized into groups

1. (1) receiving a programme of ICM,

2. (2) receiving treatment as usual (TAU).

Groups were compared before/after the programme for general psychopathology using the Brief psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS] (clinician rated) and How are You? Scale (self-rated). The Functional Analysis of Care Environments [FACE] scale provided assessment of functional domains.

The overall group [mean age 44.5 ± 13.2 years; 60% male] had mean total Health of the Nation Outcome Scale [HoNOS] scale scores 10.5 ± 4.6 with impaired social functioning especially prominent (mean social subscale score 5.0 ± 2.7). The ICM group were younger (p < 0.01) with higher baseline scores on the HoNOS social subscale and BPRS (p < 0.05). An analysis of covariance, controlling for these baseline differences, indicated greater improvement in BPRS scores (p = 0.001), How are You? scores (p = 0.02) and FACE domains for cognition, symptoms and interpersonal relationships (all p < 0.001) in the ICM group. The ICM group underwent greater changes in structured daily activities that were linked to improved BPRS scores (p = 0.01).

A programme of ICM emphasizing recovery principles allowed significant improvement across psychopathological and functional domains. Improvements were linked to enhanced engagement with structured daily activities. Recovery-oriented practices can be integrated into existing mental health services and provided alongside traditional models of care.

The role of APOE in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has been intensively investigated. However APOE in delirium has only recently been investigated in studies with small samples. There is evidence that APOE relates to delirium by one or more of the following pathophysiological mechanism: a) inhibition of inflammation in the CNS during acute illness, with release of inflammatory mediators, b) modification of inflammatory responses in an isoform-specific manner, c) by blocking both nicotine and acetylcholine receptors causing the anticholinergic effect which is assumed in delirium.

A meta-analysis of the published pooled data seems timely to establish any relationship between APOE and delirium, and to determine further direction of research in this topic.

To find out if there is any direct relationship between the APOE epsilon 4 and the occurrence of delirium.

Pubmed, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost and Google Scholar have been searched with the relevant keywords, and from the references of relevant papers. Nine papers were found which examined the relationship between APOE and delirium. Data were extracted from 8 of them and were pooled for meta-analysis using random effects with R software.

Data from 1762 participants showed no heterogeneity (Q=13.55, df:7, p=0.06). The possession of the APOE epsilon 4 allele has a small (OR:1.17, CI:0.77-1.80), non-significant (p=0.45) effect in the presence of delirium.

There is no association between APOE and the occurrence of delirium. Confirmation and clarification in larger studies could have important clinical implications for predicting prognosis and for treatment of delirium.

The new version of DSM-5 provides nearly the same criteria as DSM-IV for delirium with an exception. The DSM-5 requires a disturbance in awareness while DSM-IV, a disturbance in consciousness.

Awareness is not the same as consciousness. In this study we examined the concordances between awareness and consciousness and the agreement between DSM-5 and DSM-IV.

All acute medical admissions 70 years and over. Exclusion criteria: terminal phase of illness, severe aphasia, intubated. Those included were assessed on Day 1, 3, 7, 10 of their admission. During the assessment each individual was tested with: MoCA, DRS-98R, CAM, RASS and the subscale of levels of consciousness and awareness of surroundings from RCDS; APACHE II, CAPE and BARTHEL index. Demographic data and a medication list were also recorded.

123 participants;

Mean age: 81.3 SD (6.7) range 70-100 years old

Females 60(48.9%)

Delirium according CAM 21 (17.1%)

Delirium 23 (18.7%)

Subsyndromal delirium 28 (22.8%)

No delirium 72 (58.5%)

Previous cognitive decline: 76 (61.8%)

RCDS (awareness and consciousness)

Mean awareness: 0.4, SD (0.8)

Mean consciousness 0.4 SD (0.8).

Correlation (agreement) between awareness and consciousness Kendal's Tau =260, p=0.026

Using the awareness definition of delirium 8 participants with full awareness of surroundings have been indentified as delirious according to DRS 98, while using the consciousness definition 12 participants where indentify as delirious.

DSM-IV and DSM-5 detect two slightly distinct populations with delirium. Awareness and consciousness are not the same. DSM-5 is more restrictive in indentifying delirium.

Previous studies showed different classification systems lead to different case identification and rates of delirium. No one has previously investigated the influence of different classification systems on the outcomes of delirium.

To determine the influence of DSM-5 criteria vs. DSM-IV on delirium outcomes (mortality, length of stay, institutionalisation) including DSM-III and DSM-IIR criteria, using CAM and DRS-R98 as proxies.

Prospective, longitudinal, observational study of elderly patients 70+ admitted to acute medical wards in Sligo University Hospital. Participants were assessed within 3 days of admission using DSM-5, and DSM-IV criteria, DRS-R98, and CAM scales.

Two hundred patients [mean age 81.1 ± 6.5; 50% female]. Rates (prevalence and incidence) of delirium for each diagnostic method were: 20.5% (n = 41) for DSM-5; 22.5% (n = 45) for DSM-IV; 18.5% (n = 37) for DRS-R98 and 22.5%, (n = 45) for CAM. The odds ratio (OR) for mortality (each diagnostic method respectively) were: 3.37, 3.11, 2.42, 2.96. Breslow-Day test on homogeneity of OR was not significant x2= 0.43, df: 3, P = 0.93. Those identified with delirium using the DSM-IV, DRS-R98 and CAM had significantly longer hospital length of stay(los) compared to those without delirium but not with those identified by DSM-5 criteria. Re-institutionalisation, those identified with delirium using DSM-5, DSM-IV and CAM did not have significant differences in discharge destination compared to those without delirium, those identified with delirium using DRS-R98 were more likely discharged to an institution (z = 2.12, P = 0.03)

Assuming a direct association between delirium and examined outcomes (mortality, los and discharge destination) different classification systems for delirium identify populations with different outcomes.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Both MMSE and MoCA are two widely used cognitive screening test. Comparison of the two tests has been done in specific populations (Parkinson) but not in general elderly psychiatric populations. In research, equating methodologies has been used to compare results among studies that use different scales, which measure the same construct.

To explore their level of agreement within a particular clinical setting.

(a) To find MoCA and MMSE agreement. (b) To derive a conversion formula between the two scales and test it in a random population of similar setting.

Prospective study of consecutive community dwelling older patients who attend outpatient clinic or day hospital. Both tests were administered from the same researcher the same day in random order.

The total sample (n = 135) was randomly divided in two. One from where the equating rule derived (n = 70) and a second (n = 65) in which the derived conversion was tested. Agreement of the two scales (Pearson's r) was 0.86 (P < 0.001), and Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) was 0.57 (95% CI 0.45–0.66). In the second sample, we convert the MoCA scores to MMSE scores according to equating rule from the first sample and after we examined the agreement between the converted MMSE scores and the originals. The Pearson's r was 0.89 (n = 65, P < 0.001) and the CCC 0.88 (95% CI 0.82–0.92).

Although the two scales overlap considerably, the agreement is modest. The conversion rule derived showed promising accuracy in this population but need further testing in other populations.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

In the palliative care setting, accurate identification of depression is important to allow delivery of appropriate treatments.

– 1. To assess rates of depression in palliative care inpatients using the CSDD, comparing with formal clinical diagnosis based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria;

– 2. To identify items of the CSDD that most distinguish depressive illness in a palliative care setting.

We measured rates of depression in patients admitted into a palliative care inpatient unit with the CSDD. DSM-IV clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was achieved using all available clinical information by an experienced independent rater. We calculated Cohen's Kappa to measure concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis.

We assessed 142 patients (56.3% male; mean age: 69.6 years), the majority of which had a cancer diagnosis (93.7%). 18.3% (n = 26) met DSM-IV criteria for MDD, while 12% scored ≥6 on the CSDD with 15 cases of depression common to these two methods (K = 0.65). Discriminant analysis identified five CSDD items that were especially distinguishing of MDD; sadness, loss of interest, pessimism, lack of reactivity to pleasant events and appetite loss. An abbreviated version of the CSDD, based on these 5 items, proved highly accurate in identifying DSM-IV MDD (AUC = 0.94), with sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 84% at a cut-off score ≥2.

There was good level of concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD. We identified five depressive symptoms that are especially discriminating for depression in palliative care patients.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Studies of the association between blood BDNF levels and delirium are very few and have yielded mixed results.

To investigate the blood BDNF levels in the occurrence and recovery of delirium.

Prospective, longitudinal study. Participants were assessed twice weekly with MoCA, DRS-R98, APACHE-II. BDNF levels of the same were estimated with ELISA method. Delirium has been define as per DRS-98R (cut-off > 16) and recovery of delirium as at least two consequently assessments without delirium prior to discharge.

No differences in the levels of BDNF between those with delirium and those who never developed it. Excluding those who never developed delirium (n = 140), we analysed the effects of BDNF and the other variables on delirium resolution and recovery. Of the 58 remained with delirium in the subsequently observations (max = 8) some of them continue to be delirious until discharge or death (n = 39) while others recovered (n = 19). BDNF levels and MoCA scores were significantly associated with both delirium cases who became non-delirious (resolution) during the assessments and with overall recovery. BDNF (Wald χ2 = 11.652, df: 1 P = .001), for resolution. For recovery Wald χ2 = 7.155; df: 1, P = .007. No significant association was found for the other variables (APACHE-II, history of dementia, age or gender)

BDNF do not have a direct effect in the occurrence of delirium but for those delirious of whom the levels are increased during the hospitalisation they are more likely to recover from delirium.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Traditionally psychomotor subtypes have been investigated in patients with delirium in different settings and it has been found that those with hypoactive type is the largest proportion, often missed and with the worst outcomes.

We examined the psychomotor subtypes in an older age inpatients population, the effects that observed clinical variables have on psychomotor subtypes and their association with one year mortality.

Prospective study. Participants were assessed using the scales CAM, APACHE II, MoCA, Barthel Index and DRS-R98. Pre-existing dementia was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. Psychomotor subtypes were evaluated using the two relevant items of DRS-R98. Mortality rates were investigated one year after admission day.

The sample consisted of 200 participants [mean age 81.1 ± 6.5; 50% female; pre-existing cognitive impairment in 126 (63%)]. Thirty-four (17%) were identified with delirium (CAM+). Motor subtypes of the entire sample was: none: 119 (59.5%), hypo: 37 (18.5%), mixed: 15 (7.5%) and hyper: 29 (14.5%). Hypoactive and mixed subtype were significantly more frequent to delirious patients than to those without delirium, and none subtype more often to those without delirium. There was no difference in the hyperactive subtype between those with and without delirium. Hypoactive subtype was significant associated with delirium and lower scores in MoCA (cognition), while mixed was associated mainly with delirium. Predictors for one-year mortality were lower MoCA scores and severity of illness.

Psychomotor disturbances are not unique to delirium. Hypoactivity, this “silent epidemic” is also part of a deteriorated cognition.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.