PeopleBio: Blood Test May Predict Post-Surgery Delirium

[NA Eun-kyung, Edaily Reporter] South Korean biotech company PeopleBio Inc. said Monday that its ALTZON blood test, which measures beta-amyloid oligomer concentration in the bloodstream, could help predict postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients. The findings were published in the latest issue of the international journal Scientific Reports.

Postoperative delirium is a temporary and acute state of confusion that can occur after surgery, particularly among older adults. Symptoms may include disorientation, incoherent speech, and failure to recognize people or surroundings. As the number of surgeries performed on patients aged 65 and older continues to rise globally, POD has become one of the most concerning post-surgical complications for geriatric patients.

Studies estimate that the incidence of delirium following general anesthesia in this age group ranges from 10% to as high as 50%, depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s underlying health condition.

If not identified and treated promptly, POD can lead to increased mortality and long-term cognitive decline. It is also associated with higher risks of complications and significantly elevated medical costs. In the United States, POD-related healthcare expenses are estimated to reach $33 billion annually.

The study, conducted by researchers at Soonchunhyang University Hospital and Yongin Hyoja Hospital, analyzed blood samples from 104 patients aged 65 and older immediately after they underwent various surgeries under general anesthesia. The researchers monitored them for three days for signs of delirium.

Results showed that patients who developed delirium had significantly higher ALTZON scores, indicating greater beta-amyloid oligomer aggregation, than those who did not. Higher scores were also correlated with more severe symptoms.

“Postoperative delirium is a major neuropsychiatric complication closely tied to dementia progression, yet no reliable predictive tools have existed,” said Dr. Kwak Yong-tae, a neurologist at Yongin-si Hyoja Hospital. “A blood test that could anticipate POD would be a game-changer for both the medical community and society.”

Kang Sung-min, CEO of PeopleBio, said the company is pursuing further research to establish ALTZON as a preoperative screening tool for elderly patients undergoing anesthesia.

나은경 (eeee@edaily.co.kr)