Delirium in terminally ill patients with interstitial lung diseases: a retrospective study

Delirium is common among patients with advanced illness. The prevention of delirium and management of its symptoms are important to the palliative care of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We investigated the incidence of delirium among patients with terminally ill ILDs and risk factors for its development.

This retrospective observational study included patients with ILDs who were admitted to the National Hospital Organization (NHO) Kinki Chuo Chest Medical Center between April 2020 and September 2022 and died during hospitalization. The primary and secondary outcomes were the percentage of patients with delirium and risk factors associated with delirium.

A total of 85 patients were included in this study. Delirium was present in 38 of these 85 patients (44.7%). Patients with dementia had a significantly higher risk of delirium compared to those without dementia [risk ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.84-3.08], and patients who were physically restrained also had a higher risk of delirium compared to those without restraint (risk ratio, 2.32; 95% CI: 1.53-3.52).

Delirium is prevalent in terminally ill patients with ILDs. Dementia and physical restraint may be risk factors for delirium. Physicians should recognize the risk factors for delirium and prepare for its development in terminally ill patients with ILDs.