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[Delirium: the clinical confusion].
Matías González1, Joan de Pablo, Manuel Valdés
1Sección de Psiquiatría de Enlace del Instituto Clínic de Psiquiatría y Psicología, Hospital Clinic Universitari de Barcelona.
Revista Medica De Chile
|November 26, 2003
Summary
Delirium, an acute confusional state, is a common yet often overlooked condition in elderly hospital patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and reducing hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Delirium, or acute confusional state, is a syndrome of acute onset with fluctuating cognitive impairment.
- Frequently observed in elderly patients within general hospital settings.
- Associated with significant morbidity, including high mortality and prolonged hospital stays.
Purpose:
- To review efficient diagnostic and treatment procedures for delirium.
- To highlight the challenges in diagnosing and treating this condition.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.
Summary:
- This review systematically searched literature for keywords: delirium, acute mental syndrome, acute confusional state, and organic mental syndrome.
- Articles were selected based on relevance and methodological rigor.
- The focus is on identifying optimal strategies for managing delirium.
Impact:
- Aims to improve the recognition and management of delirium in clinical settings.
- Potential to reduce mortality and hospital length of stay for affected patients.
- Emphasizes the need for timely and adequate intervention for acute confusional states.