The interrelationship between multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) and delirium: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Internal Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Delirium and multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) share risk factors and are linked to adverse hospital outcomes.
• The combined study of these common aging syndromes is not well understood.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge on the interrelationship between MLTC and delirium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of the literature on the interrelationship between multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) and delirium.
• To identify knowledge gaps in the research concerning MLTC and delirium.

Main Methods:

• Searched major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Psycinfo, CINAHL) for studies on delirium and MLTC in adult humans.
• Employed descriptive analysis following Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines.
• Screened 5256 abstracts and reviewed 140 full-text articles.

Main Results:

• The majority of studies (125/140) examined MLTC as a risk factor for delirium.
• Few studies investigated MLTC's impact on delirium presentation (5), duration (3), or outcomes (6).
• No studies explored MLTC's effect on delirium treatment or delirium's impact on MLTC development.

Conclusions:

• Current research primarily focuses on MLTC as a risk factor for delirium.
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding MLTC's influence on delirium treatment and delirium's effect on MLTC progression.
• Heterogeneity in defining both MLTC and delirium limits current research findings.