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Delirium: issues in diagnosis and management
F K Salawu1, A Danburam, P Ogualili
1Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Nigeria. dr_abdulsalawu@yahoo.com
Annals of African Medicine
|November 4, 2009
Summary
Delirium, a common yet often unrecognized condition in sick patients, requires coordinated multidisciplinary care for effective prevention and treatment. Early recognition and management of acute confusion are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Critical Care Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Delirium is a frequent and serious condition in medically ill patients, characterized by disturbances in consciousness, cognition, and perception.
- It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite its association with increased morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the published literature on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium.
- To highlight the importance of multidisciplinary interventions and family involvement.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE with keywords: delirium, acute confusion, and management.
- Supplementation of search results through hand-searching major medical and psychiatric journals and reviewing cited references.
Main Results:
- Prevention and treatment strategies for delirium do not require complexity or high cost.
- Well-coordinated interventions involving nursing, psychiatry, neurology, primary care, family, and friends are essential.
- Atypical antipsychotic agents show promise as safe and effective treatments for delirium, with advantages over haloperidol in limited studies.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of delirium necessitates a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
- Early recognition and consistent management are key to improving outcomes for patients experiencing acute confusion.
- Atypical antipsychotics represent a potentially beneficial treatment option for delirium.
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