Serum levels of SIRT3 in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia and its relationship with postoperative delirium.

Objectives: To investigate whether serum SIRT3 levels can predict postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 118 elderly patients who underwent general anesthesia from January 2021 to December 2023. POD was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) within 72 h post-surgery. Serum SIRT3, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17, and CRP levels were measured by ELISA. Clinical data including surgical time, anesthesia time, and blood loss were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 (p<0.05 considered significant). Results: Compared to non-POD patients, those with POD had longer surgery and anesthesia durations, lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, significantly lower serum SIRT3, and higher IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-17 levels. Serum SIRT3 was inversely correlated with IL-1β and IL-17. ROC analysis suggested SIRT3 as a potential predictive biomarker for POD. Logistic regression identified low SIRT3, low albumin, and elevated IL-1β and IL-17 as risk factors. Conclusions: Serum SIRT3 is significantly reduced in elderly POD patients and may serve as a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target for POD.