This study was purpose to identify predictors for incidence of delirium after musculoskeletal operation in elderly patients.

A total of 104 elderly patients over 65 years with musculoskeletal operation was participated in this study. After IRB approval, the study period was between April and August, 2017, and the data were collected using by structured questionnaires (MMSE-K, GDSSF-K, Nu-DESC). Collected data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression using SPSS 22.0 statistical program.

The average score of participant’s cognition and depression were 24.85±4.51, 5.27±1.80. 34 (32.7%) participants had cognitive impairment and 83 (79.5%) participant were ruled out depression. As cognitive function, there were significant differences in gender, age, marital status, education, job, house and caregiver. As depression, there were significant differences by aids, operation history and perceived health. There were significantly negative correlations cognitive impairment and depression. The incidence of delirium in participants was 21.2%. During post operation three day, the incident rate of delirium over 9%. The strong predictor was cognitive impairment for incidence of delirium after musculoskeletal operation in participants.

Therefore, it is suggested that geriatric nursing intervention for strengthening cognition of musculoskeletal operation in elderly patients.