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Mental changes resulting from subdural haematoma
Insights
Subdural hematomas frequently cause mental changes like delirium, dementia, and coma. Delirium is common in older patients, while coma is more frequent in younger ones, confirming clinical observations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychiatry
Background:
- Subdural hematomas can lead to significant neurological and psychiatric complications.
- Understanding the spectrum of mental changes associated with subdural hematomas is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of mental changes in patients with subacute or chronic subdural hematomas.
- To correlate specific mental syndromes with patient demographics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 79 patients diagnosed with subacute or chronic subdural hematomas.
- Classification of mental changes using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) criteria.
- Statistical analysis to identify correlations between mental changes and patient age.
Main Results:
- Mental changes were observed in 58.2% of patients.
- Delirium was the most common mental change, followed by dementia and coma.
- Delirium was significantly associated with older patients (P < .05), while coma was more frequent in younger patients (P < .001).
- Dementia was more prevalent in the elderly population.
Conclusions:
- Mental syndromes are common in patients with subdural hematomas.
- The findings support established clinical observations regarding the association of specific mental changes with patient age.
- Subdural hematomas necessitate thorough neuropsychiatric evaluation.
Abstract:
A retrospective study was carried out of 79 patients with subacute or chronic subdural haematomata. Forty-six (58.2%) had mental changes at admission which were categorised using DSM-III criteria. Delirium was the most frequent mental change, followed by dementia and coma. Three cases of organic affective syndrome were found. In those with mental changes, delirium was significant in older patients (P less than .05) and coma in young patients (P less than .001). Dementia was more common in the elderly. These findings confirm the presence of common mental syndromes in patients with subdural and haematomata and substantiate time-honoured clinical stereotypes.