key: cord-0004445-2prli5s1
authors: Vahedian-Azimi, Amir; Bashar, Farshid R.; Khan, Abbas M.; Miller, Andrew C.
title: Natural versus artificial light exposure on delirium incidence in ARDS patients
date: 2020-02-05
journal: Ann Intensive Care
DOI: 10.1186/s13613-020-0630-8
sha: ba5d6c23c825143ecb6ffec313f6f2735e979445
doc_id: 4445
cord_uid: 2prli5s1

nan

We read with interest the study by Smonig et al. on the impact of natural light (NL) exposure on delirium-associated outcomes in mechanically ventilated (MV) intensive care unit (ICU) patients [1] . In this single-center, prospective, observational study, the authors report an improvement in the secondary outcomes of hallucination incidence and haloperidol administration for agitation. No difference in delirium incidence or duration, MV duration, self-extubation, ICU or hospital length-of-stay (LOS), or mortality was observed [1] . We request clarification on whether the cumulative doses of haloperidol differed.

Smonig's findings differ from our observations. We have conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 16,000 ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) on MV from 21 ICUs (10 mixed, 5 surgical, 6 medical) from 6 academic medical centers [2, 3] . Here, we report the results of a retrospective secondary analysis of 4200 patients from the mixed medical-surgical ICUs of two academic hospitals to assess the impact of NL exposure on delirium incidence. Each ICU had the same layout including 10 beds; 5 with adjacent windows allowing for NL (circadian pattern), and 5 positioned 13 m from the nearest window (artificial light: AL). Delirium was defined according to the DSM-IV-TR [4] , and was assessed three times daily by the bedside nurse and researcher (kappa agreement coefficient 0.801-0.902) using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) [5] . We performed both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression accounting for: year, diagnosis, age, sex, vital signs, illness severity (APACHE-II score), development of ventilator-associated pneumonia, microbiology results, presence of an multiple drug resistant pathogens, MV duration, LOS (ICU, hospital), and survival. We found that AL patients had a 2.35-and 2.39times greater incidence of delirium by unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression, respectively.

Methodological differences in delirium definition, screening method and frequency, criteria for NL group, and population studied may contribute to the outcome heterogeneity across studies (Table 1) [1, [6] [7] [8] [9] . Six studies utilized a validated delirium screening tool (Table 1) , whereas one did not [8] , and one included (as a positive) any patient treated with haloperidol (regardless of screen result) [6] . Furthermore, two studies required a positive delirium screen on ≥ 2 consecutive days to be classified as delirium [1, 7] . Moreover, the light exposure definitions vary considerably across studies. Three studies compare patients in rooms with or without windows [1, 7, 8] , whereas in two studies, all patients have NL exposure to differing degrees [6, 9] . The assessed patient populations differ as well. Whereas we found improved delirium outcomes in ARDS patients, who often have greater illness severity and longer ICU LOS than the general ICU patient population, no difference was observed in other ICU populations [1, [6] [7] [8] . Our data suggest that further investigation in defined ICU sub-populations may provide an opportunity to better identify those likely to benefit from NL exposure. Such studies should capitalize on transparency using clear and reproducible of key variables including the definitions of delirium and NL exposure. Based on the current level of evidence, it would be premature to discard a therapeutic role for NL exposure in critically ill patients. 

Impact of natural light exposure on delirium burden in adult patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in the ICU: a prospective study

Post-ICU psychological morbidity in patients with ARDS and delirium

Impact of religiosity on delirium severity among critically ill Shi'a muslims: a prospective multicenter observational study

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV-TR) fourth edition (text revision)

Evaluation of delirium in critically ill patients: validation of the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU)

Delirium and effect of circadian light in the intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study

Effect of intensive care unit environment on in-hospital delirium after cardiac surgery

Do windows or natural views affect outcomes or costs among patients in ICUs?

Intensive care unit environment may affect the course of delirium

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The authors that contributed to study design were AVA, FRB and ACM. Study implementation and data abstraction was performed by AVA and FRB. Data analysis was performed by AVA and ACM. Manuscript writing and revision were performed by ACM AMK, and AVA. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.