Lubbers, Merel (2012) The influence of stress hormone cortisol on the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) :A sub study of ‘postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly cancer patients’ (PICNIC). thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a condition in which a cognitive change occurs after a surgical intervention. This condition can manifest itself in many ways, which makes is difficult to diagnose. Further more, the causal factors for POCD are still unknown. However, during surgery, the level of cortisol rises. It is hypothesized this increase of cortisol level after surgery is a predictor for the development of POCD. Methods: In total 91 patients, all over 65 of age, participated in this sub study of the PICNIC study. These patients followed a series of cognitive tests, conducted a few weeks preoperatively, two weeks postoperatively and three months postoperatively. Cortisol levels were measured using salivettes the day before and the day after surgery at 8 am and 4 pm. Of these levels, the ratio per day was calculated. Results: At two week postoperative, 16,4% of the patients was diagnosed with POCD. Three months postoperative still 9,9% of the patients had POCD. Statistical regression analysis does not show a significant relation between cortisol ratios and the development of POCD. However, a significant relation has been found between older age and the development of POCD two weeks postoperative. Conclusion: The small sample size of this study may be the reason no significant relation has been found. The power analyse of the PICNIC study showed 600 patients are needed to prove significance differences if any. The PICNIC study will run until all these patients are included. Then it is plausible more significant relations will be found.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Supervisor: and Leeuwen, B.L. v. and oncological surgeon and University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and Department of surgery |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2020 10:44 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2020 10:44 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/589 |
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