Comparative diagnostic accuracy of nursing delirium screening scale versus confusion assessment method for postoperative delirium: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims: To synthesise the evidence on and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Nu-DESC and CAM in detecting postoperative delirium among hospitalised patients.

Design: Systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis.

Data Sources: The PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A&I, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched from their inception to February 10, 2023.

Results: In total, 10 (n = 1950) and seven (n = 830) reports were included for the Nu-DESC and CAM, respectively. For Nu-DESC and CAM, the pooled sensitivities were 0.69 and 0.65, respectively, while the summary specificities were 0.99 for Nu-DESC and 0.92 for CAM. The pooled specificity differed significantly between the two tools (p < 0.001), despite comparable pooled sensitivities. The duration of stay in the intensive care unit significantly moderated the summary specificity of Nu-DESC (B = −0.0003, p = 0.009). Regarding CAM, the percentage of female participants showed a positive correlation with its pooled sensitivity (B = 0.005, p = 0.02). Furthermore, studies where clinical specialists served as assessors demonstrated a higher summary sensitivity than those assessed by nurses (0.87 vs. 0.25, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: The sensitivities of the Nu-DESC and CAM for detecting postoperative delirium did not achieve optimal levels. Therefore, developing more accurate tools to detect postoperative delirium by integrating features from related risk factors or incorporating technology-based algorithms to enhance the screening capability is warranted.

Reporting Method: The study has adhered to PRISMA-DTA guideline.

Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.

Trial Registration: The study protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023398961).

RAS ID

75888

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

2025

Funding Information

National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC 112-2628-B-038-003, NSTC 111-2314-B-038-033-MY3)

School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Wiley

Identifier

Victoria Traynor: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4515-7602

Comments

Lin, C. J., Fick, D. M., Traynor, V., Chen, Y. C., Hsiang, H. F., & Chiu, H. Y. (2025). Comparative diagnostic accuracy of nursing delirium screening scale versus confusion assessment method for postoperative delirium: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 34(1), 287-298. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17467

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1111/jocn.17467