Systematic intervention for elderly inpatients with delirium: a randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Internal Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Delirium is a common and serious condition in elderly inpatients.
• Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing delirium.
• The effectiveness of systematic interventions in this population requires further assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a systematic intervention strategy for elderly patients experiencing delirium.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital.
• 88 elderly inpatients (≥75 years) diagnosed with delirium were enrolled.
• The intervention group received specialized geriatric/psychiatric consultation and liaison nurse follow-up; the control group received standard care.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed initial improvement in Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) scores at 2 weeks, but this difference was not sustained.
• Crichton Geriatric Behavioural Rating Scale (CGBRS) scores improved more in the intervention group, though not reaching statistical significance at 8 weeks (p=0.06).
• No significant differences were observed in the use of restraints, length of hospital stay, discharge destination, or mortality rates between groups.

Conclusions:

• Systematic detection and intervention for delirium in elderly inpatients yielded minimal beneficial effects.
• The study suggests that while some cognitive improvements may occur, the overall impact on key clinical outcomes is limited.
• Further research may be needed to optimize intervention strategies for delirium in this vulnerable population.