ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Biological sex and its influence on delirium in adult ICU patients: a single-centre retrospective cohort study
Main findingResult — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 0.88 95% CI 0.83–0.93Authors' conclusion
Male patients had a lower incidence of ICU delirium. This association was most notable among patients admitted to medical ICUs.
Study context
- Population
- Adults admitted to ICUs at a tertiary-level academic medical centre, 2011 to 2024
- Participants
- 38,192 adults
- Exposure
- Male vs female patients
- Malen = 21,541
- Outcome
- Incidence of delirium (CAM-ICU, routine clinical care)
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adjusted odds ratio
0.88
95% CI 0.83–0.93
P < 0.001
Male vs Female
aOR 0.88 (95% CI 0.83–0.93); P < 0.001
- Overall incidence of delirium during ICU stay
- 46% (17 447)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aOR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delirium, medical ICU admissions, by age (subgroup)Male vs Female · <60 yr | 0.82 (0.72–0.93) | P = 0.002 | |
| Delirium, medical ICU admissions, by age (subgroup)Male vs Female · 60 yr and above | 0.89 (0.83–0.97) | P = 0.008 | |
| 0.512Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Delirium, surgical ICU admissions (subgroup)
- Association not significant, regardless of age group
Original publication
Biological sex and its influence on delirium in adult ICU patients: a single-centre retrospective cohort study. BJA Open. Published 20 July 2026. doi:10.
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