Delirium in elderly adults: diagnosis, prevention and treatment

Delirium is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome, the core features of which are inattention and global cognitive dysfunction. Fong and Inouye review current clinical practice in delirium in elderly individuals, including diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. They also consider the profound impact of this syndrome on health-care utilization and costs. Delirium is a common and serious acute neuropsychiatric syndrome with core features of inattention and global cognitive dysfunction. The etiologies of delirium are diverse and multifactorial and often reflect the pathophysiological consequences of an acute medical illness, medical complication or drug intoxication. Delirium can have a widely variable presentation, and is often missed and underdiagnosed as a result. At present, the diagnosis of delirium is clinically based and depends on the presence or absence of certain features. Management strategies for delirium are focused on prevention and symptom management. This article reviews current clinical practice in delirium in elderly individuals, including the diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and economic impact of this syndrome. Areas of future research are also discussed.