Medicine
Volume 37, Issue 2 , Pages 81-83, February 2009

Confusion and delirium

David Bates MA FRCP is Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. He qualified at Cambridge University and Middlesex Hospital, London, UK, and trained in neurology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. His research interests include coma and multiple sclerosis. Competing interests: none declared

Abstract 

Confusion and delirium are the most common behavioural disorders seen in an acute medical or surgical unit. Confusion can be regarded as a mild form of delirium and may give warning of the development of the more severe disorder. It causes an acute change of mental status, characterized by abnormal and fluctuating attention. It affects between 10 and 30% of medically ill patients, especially the elderly and often shortly after admission to hospital. It causes prolonged admission, increased morbidity and mortality, and delayed discharge, often to long-term care. Its causation is reviewed and its prevention and management is described.

Keywords: clinical signs, confusion, delirium, prognosis

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PII: S1357-3039(08)00335-6

doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2008.11.010

Medicine
Volume 37, Issue 2 , Pages 81-83, February 2009

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