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Health
Harvard researchers found that some major surgeries may accelerate cognitive decline, particularly memory and attention, in elderly patients.
Researchers from Harvard University have identified a potential link between certain major surgical procedures and accelerated cognitive decline in older adults, especially affecting memory and attention functions.
A recent study revealed that undergoing hip replacement surgery or abdominal operations could increase the risk of cognitive deterioration, including memory loss, in some patients.
The study monitored 560 individuals in their seventies who showed no signs of dementia at the time of surgery. Follow-up continued for six years, during which periodic tests assessed their memory and cognitive abilities.
Results indicated that approximately 25% of participants experienced no significant change in mental function post-surgery, while 60% showed mild cognitive decline. Meanwhile, 15% suffered severe deterioration within one month after the operation, which progressively worsened over the years of follow-up.
The researchers suggested that mild decline might reflect normal age-related changes rather than a direct consequence of surgery.
Participants who experienced rapid and severe cognitive decline were more likely to develop postoperative delirium, a state of confusion and disordered thinking occurring within days after surgery, which may be associated with increased risk of ongoing cognitive impairment.
Some experts propose that surgical stress and related inflammation could impact brain function, while others believe surgery may reveal pre-existing but unnoticed cognitive decline.
The surgeries studied included orthopedic procedures such as knee and hip replacements (around 80%), gastrointestinal surgeries like hernia repair and gallbladder removal (approximately 10%), and major vascular surgeries (6%).
All surgeries were elective rather than emergency, with patients typically spending three or more days hospitalized postoperatively.
The study identified three warning signs associated with severe cognitive decline after surgery: advanced age, poor performance on cognitive tests before surgery, and postoperative delirium, with delirium showing the strongest correlation to decline.
The researchers emphasized that their study is observational and does not establish a direct causal relationship between surgery and cognitive deterioration, but it highlights important indicators warranting attention.
They expressed hope that these findings will assist physicians and patients in making more informed decisions by weighing surgical benefits against potential risks to cognitive health.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
