We describe the risk of postoperative delirium and long-term psychopathology (depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS)) in older adults.

255 elderly patients (≥ 65 years) undergoing major surgery (planned surgical time > 60 min) in a tertiary hospital were compared to 76 non-surgical controls from general practice.

Patients were assessed twice daily for postoperative delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM(-ICU)), nursing delirium screening scale (NuDESC) and validated chart review.

Before surgery and 3 and 12 months thereafter, the participants filled in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome-14-Questions Inventory (PTSS-14).

Non-surgical controls filled in the same questionnaires with similar follow-up.