Psychogeriatrics : the official journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society
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Even after successful hip arthroplasty, elderly patients who have undergone this procedure remain subject to cognitive decline and may collectively develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, no consensus exists as to the risk factors resulting in a higher likelihood that a patient may present with this complication, and the aetiology of POCD is not well understood. We conducted a systematic review of papers concerning the influence of POCD-related risk factors in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty but limited the literature search to papers in English. ⋯ Nevertheless, the specific mechanism and explicit risk factors associated with this cognitive dysfunction are not completely understood. Hip arthroplasty has made it possible for older patients to find relief from pain and improve their function, whereas it also increases the risk for suffering POCD that may affect these patients' quality of life and increase their mortality. Therefore, it is worthwhile investigating the mechanism of POCD in future studies in order to prevent and treat this condition.