Neurol. praxi. 2011;12(5):311-316

Delirium in geriatric patients

MUDr.Pavel Ressner, Ph.D.¹, MUDr.Jiří Konrád², MUDr.Petra Bártová, Ph.D.¹

¹ Kognitivní centrum, Neurologická klinika FN Ostrava

² Psychiatrická léčebna, Havlíčkův Brod

Delirium is a syndrome which, in geriatric patients, may lead to a significant functional impairment or even death. It is an acute, lifethreatening

condition which occurs in elderly patients, particularly those in hospital. An elderly patient is extremely fragile and there

is a high risk of delirium in patients with dementia, followed by those generally compromised, with the presence of an infection, or in

postoperative states. It has been reported that up to 20% of all hospitalized patients over 65 years of age may develop complications

during hospitalization as a result of delirium. A number of factors are involved in the development of delirium, the identification of which

may often allow a causal therapeutic intervention. The present article provides an overview of the pathophysiology of delirium in the

elderly as well as an overview of the diagnostic options and the treatment of the delirium syndrome in these patients.

Keywords: delirium, dementia, depression, anticholinergics

Published: November 1, 2011  Show citation