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Updated: May 12, 2026
07:40
Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
A longitudinal study on delirium in nursing homes
Armin von Gunten1, Urs Peter Mosimann, Jean-Philippe Antonietti
1Service of Old Age Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.
Summary
Delirium in nursing home residents evolves in distinct patterns. Initial cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms predict these trajectories, impacting long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Longitudinal Studies
Background:
- Delirium is a common and serious condition in nursing home residents.
- Understanding delirium's long-term course is crucial for resident care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of delirium over time in nursing home residents.
- To identify predictors of different delirium trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study in 90 Swiss nursing homes.
- Included 14,771 residents, assessing delirium using the Nursing Home Confusion Assessment Method.
- Employed discrete Markov chain modeling and logistic regression analyses.
Main Results:
- Identified four distinct delirium time courses in nursing home residents.
- Initial cognitive impairment and depressive symptom severity predicted these delirium trajectories.
- Early delirium presence and evolution influenced the course until death.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms at baseline are associated with varied delirium evolutions.
- The first year post-admission is critical for predicting long-term delirium course and outcomes.
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