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Post-Surgery Delirium Accelerates Cognitive Decline in Seniors

6/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from Brown University reported postoperative delirium predicts faster cognitive decline in adults 70+.
The SAGES study tracked 560 participants with six-month tests for three years and annual tests for six years.
Delirium after surgery accelerated decline more than mild cognitive impairment.
Each rehospitalization correlated with decline but did not explain the delirium effect.
Patients with delirium had more rehospitalizations, a finding senior author Dr. Sharon K. Inouye called surprising.

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Story summary

Researchers from Brown University reported postoperative delirium predicts faster cognitive decline in adults 70+.
The SAGES study tracked 560 participants with six-month tests for three years and annual tests for six years.
Delirium after surgery accelerated decline more than mild cognitive impairment.
Each rehospitalization correlated with decline but did not explain the delirium effect.
Patients with delirium had more rehospitalizations, a finding senior author Dr. Sharon K. Inouye called surprising.