Incidence of delirium in hospitalized heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Report - MDSpire

Incidence of delirium in hospitalized heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • By

  • Huichao Zhang

  • Shenghua Yan

  • Yaoyang Shi

  • Liqin Xu

  • Chengjie Wang

  • Bei Tian

  • Yuying Gu

  • June 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Prevalence of Delirium Among Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure

Overview

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that the pooled incidence of delirium among hospitalized heart failure patients is 18.5%. Various factors such as age, sex, and comorbidities were analyzed.

Background

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome that can significantly impact hospitalized heart failure patients. It is associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and poor post-discharge outcomes.

Data Highlights

MeasureValue
Pooled Incidence of Delirium18.5% (95% CI: 13.1%–24.6%)
Number of Studies Included17
Total Patients Analyzed17,944

Key Findings

  • The pooled incidence of delirium in hospitalized heart failure patients is 18.5%.
  • Subgroup analyses indicated that factors such as publication year, country, sex, mean age, and comorbidities were analyzed.
  • No significant sources of heterogeneity were identified in subgroup or meta-regression analyses.
  • Delirium in hospitalized HF patients is linked to increased in-hospital mortality and longer hospital stays.

Clinical Implications

Understanding the factors influencing delirium can guide interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Delirium is a prevalent condition among hospitalized heart failure patients.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Neurology, 2026 -- Prevalence of delirium among patients with advanced cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  2. Critical Care (Springer), 2025 -- A systematic meta-review of interventions to prevent and manage delirium in the Intensive Care Unit: Part 2 – Non-pharmacological and multicomponent interventions
  3. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2026 -- Delirium in Older Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Management Strategies, and Hospital Utilization Outcomes
  4. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- Natural language processing techniques to detect delirium in hospitalized patients from clinical notes: a systematic review
  5. Frontiers, 2026 -- Incidence of Delirium in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  6. Risk Factors for Delirium in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2025
  7. Psychiatry.org, 2025 -- American Psychiatric Association Publishes Updated Comprehensive Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Delirium
  8. A Focused Update to SCCM PADIS Guidelines for Adult Patients | SCCM, 2025
  9. Dement Neuropsychol, 2026 -- Article on Delirium in Hospitalized Patients
  10. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
  11. American Psychiatric Association Guidelines
  12. Risk Factors for Delirium in Patients with Acute Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  13. A Focused Update to SCCM PADIS Guidelines for Adult Patients | SCCM
  14. Dement Neuropsychol 2026;20:e20250378

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