The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Delirium may develop in association with an underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and complicates one out of three medical admissions representing a significant economic burden for healthcare systems. However, a clear relationship between delirium onset and diabete...

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Main Authors: Klara Komici, Carlo Fantini, Gaetano Santulli, Leonardo Bencivenga, Grazia Daniela Femminella, Germano Guerra, Pasquale Mone, Giuseppe Rengo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Cardiovascular Diabetology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02782-w
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author Klara Komici
Carlo Fantini
Gaetano Santulli
Leonardo Bencivenga
Grazia Daniela Femminella
Germano Guerra
Pasquale Mone
Giuseppe Rengo
author_facet Klara Komici
Carlo Fantini
Gaetano Santulli
Leonardo Bencivenga
Grazia Daniela Femminella
Germano Guerra
Pasquale Mone
Giuseppe Rengo
author_sort Klara Komici
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Delirium may develop in association with an underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and complicates one out of three medical admissions representing a significant economic burden for healthcare systems. However, a clear relationship between delirium onset and diabetes mellitus has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between DM and delirium with the following aims: (a) to assess the incidence of delirium among DM patients (b) to assess the risk of delirium onset in patients with DM (c) to assess the role of anti-diabetic drugs on delirium onset. Methods MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to 30th of December 2024. Studies reporting the incidence of delirium in diabetic patients, delirium events in diabetic patients compared to non- diabetic patients, and the role of antidiabetic drugs on delirium development were considered. Results The pooled incidence of delirium resulted 29% (95% CI 26.0%- 33.0% I2 = 99.6%). The OR for developing delirium resulted: 1.78 (95% CI 1.59–1.99 i2 = 88.3%) Intranasal insulin administration compared to placebo groups was characterized by a RR = 0.34 (95% CI 0.23–0.52). Metformin use compared to non-metformin use in diabetic patients was characterized by lower RR for delirium: pooled RR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.59–0.85, I2 = 84.8%). Conclusions The incidence of delirium in patients with diabetes is about 29% and patients with diabetes have higher odds of delirium. Chronic use of metformin, and intranasal insulin administration before surgery may offer benefits in the prevention of delirium. These findings are characterized by significant heterogeneity which hampers their interpretation. Future research for developing diabetes-specific delirium screening protocols, and evidence-based preventive interventions is needed.
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spelling doaj-art-233c0cedc5fc45a1b5e154b38b3ff63d2025-08-20T03:48:15ZengBMCCardiovascular Diabetology1475-28402025-05-0124111410.1186/s12933-025-02782-wThe role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysisKlara Komici0Carlo Fantini1Gaetano Santulli2Leonardo Bencivenga3Grazia Daniela Femminella4Germano Guerra5Pasquale Mone6Giuseppe Rengo7Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of MoliseDepartment of Mental Health, ASREM, ’’Antonio Cardarelli Hospital’’Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academic Research Unit, International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME) Consortium, ‘Federico II’ UniversityDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of MoliseDepartment of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of MoliseDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”Abstract Background Delirium may develop in association with an underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and complicates one out of three medical admissions representing a significant economic burden for healthcare systems. However, a clear relationship between delirium onset and diabetes mellitus has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between DM and delirium with the following aims: (a) to assess the incidence of delirium among DM patients (b) to assess the risk of delirium onset in patients with DM (c) to assess the role of anti-diabetic drugs on delirium onset. Methods MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to 30th of December 2024. Studies reporting the incidence of delirium in diabetic patients, delirium events in diabetic patients compared to non- diabetic patients, and the role of antidiabetic drugs on delirium development were considered. Results The pooled incidence of delirium resulted 29% (95% CI 26.0%- 33.0% I2 = 99.6%). The OR for developing delirium resulted: 1.78 (95% CI 1.59–1.99 i2 = 88.3%) Intranasal insulin administration compared to placebo groups was characterized by a RR = 0.34 (95% CI 0.23–0.52). Metformin use compared to non-metformin use in diabetic patients was characterized by lower RR for delirium: pooled RR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.59–0.85, I2 = 84.8%). Conclusions The incidence of delirium in patients with diabetes is about 29% and patients with diabetes have higher odds of delirium. Chronic use of metformin, and intranasal insulin administration before surgery may offer benefits in the prevention of delirium. These findings are characterized by significant heterogeneity which hampers their interpretation. Future research for developing diabetes-specific delirium screening protocols, and evidence-based preventive interventions is needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02782-wDiabetes mellitusDeliriumElderlyMetforminInsulin
spellingShingle Klara Komici
Carlo Fantini
Gaetano Santulli
Leonardo Bencivenga
Grazia Daniela Femminella
Germano Guerra
Pasquale Mone
Giuseppe Rengo
The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Cardiovascular Diabetology
Diabetes mellitus
Delirium
Elderly
Metformin
Insulin
title The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort role of diabetes mellitus on delirium onset a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Diabetes mellitus
Delirium
Elderly
Metformin
Insulin
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02782-w
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