This study found no association between the use of any
postoperative opioid and incident delirium in participants
with or without dementia after hip fracture repair. Postoperative
delirium was not associated with the amount of
opioid consumed. Furthermore, opioid dose on Postoperative
Days 1 and 2 was not predictive of incident delirium.
In the target population of HFS participants, dementia and
ICU admission, not opioid consumption, were most predictive
of incident postoperative delirium. Therefore, concern
about precipitating postoperative delirium should not prevent
the use of opioid analgesic therapy sufficient to
achieve a generally accepted level of comfort in older
adults with or without preexisting cognitive impairment.