Delirium in the elderly: Current problems with increasing geriatric age.

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State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_1E6538017A41
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Delirium in the elderly: Current problems with increasing geriatric age.
Journal
The Indian journal of medical research
Author(s)
Kukreja D., Günther U., Popp J.
ISSN
0971-5916 (Print)
ISSN-L
0971-5916
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2015
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
142
Number
6
Pages
655-662
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article Publication Status: ppublish, WOS : review
Publication types: Journal Article ; Review

Abstract
Delirium is an acute disorder of attention and cognition seen relatively commonly in people aged 65 yr or older. The prevalence is estimated to be between 11 and 42 per cent for elderly patients on medical wards. The prevalence is also high in nursing homes and long term care (LTC) facilities. The consequences of delirium could be significant such as an increase in mortality in the hospital, long-term cognitive decline, loss of autonomy and increased risk to be institutionalized. Despite being a common condition, it remains under-recognised, poorly understood and not adequately managed. Advanced age and dementia are the most important risk factors. Pain, dehydration, infections, stroke and metabolic disturbances, and surgery are the most common triggering factors. Delirium is preventable in a large proportion of cases and therefore, it is also important from a public health perspective for interventions to reduce further complications and the substantial costs associated with these. Since the aetiology is, in most cases, multifactorial, it is important to consider a multi-component approach to management, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Detection and treatment of triggering causes must have high priority in case of delirium. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of delirium in the elderly population, given the increasing numbers of ageing people as well as increasing geriatric age.

Keywords
Aged, Delirium/epidemiology, Delirium/physiopathology, Delirium/prevention & control, Humans, Prevalence, Risk Assessment
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
05/02/2016 10:15
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:54
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