Assessing the robustness of meta-analyses to variability in the frequency and timing of postoperative delirium assessment - a novel methodological approach

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a fluctuating confusional state occurring early after surgery. Given its fluctuating nature, POD detection is influenced by the frequency and timing of screening. Sparse assessments potentially underestimate the true incidence reported in individual studies, subsequently influencing the weight of studies in meta-analyses, and the results and precision of these meta-analyses.