Evaluating Patient Knowledge About Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders (KNOW-PND Study)

Neurocognitive disorders remain one of the major perioperative complications. They are associated with delayed recovery, prolonged length of hospital stay and impacts on patients' quality of life. The incidence of PND ranges from 15-50%.

While several causes have been investigated, PND seems to be due to the non-resolution of an inflammatory cascade, making some patients more at risk than others. As such, major risk factors include old age and lower education levels.

As the global proportion of people aged 60 and above between 2015 and 2050 will increase from 12% to 22% and worldwide surgeries increases to >300 million procedures per annum the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders with high morbidity and mortality will go up.

In 2015, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) launched the 'Perioperative Brain Health Initiative' to increase awareness about perioperative neurocognitive disorders. (PND) While physicians seems to be more and more aware about this condition, data regarding patient awareness are not available.

An observational, single-centre, cross-sectional survey study (with initially a feasibility study) will be conducted in patients, 65 years and above undergoing elective total hip replacement surgery at AZ Sint-Jan (Brugge, Belgium) to assess patients' basic knowledge regarding PND.