Delirium, an acute decline in attention and cognition, is acommon, life-threatening, and potentially preventable clinicalsyndrome among persons who are 65 years of age or older. Thedevelopment of delirium often initiates a cascade of eventsculminating in the loss of independence, an increased risk ofmorbidity and mortality, and increased health care costs.1,2,3,4,5,6Delirium in hospitalized older patients has assumed particularimportance because the care of such patients accounts for morethan 49 percent of all hospital days.7 Delirium complicateshospital stays for at least 20 percent of the 12.5 million patients65 years of age or older . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Epidemiology and Diagnostic Criteria
Clinical Characteristics
Etiologic and Risk Factors
Pathogenesis
Approach to Evaluation
Prevention and Management
Relationship between Delirium and Dementia
Delirium as an Indicator of the Quality of Health Care
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From the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Inouye at the Aging Brain Center, Hebrew Senior Life, 1200 Centre St., Boston, MA 02131.
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Delirium in Older Persons
Anton E., Marti J., Kwatra M. M., Böhner H., Schneider F., Inouye S. K.
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N Engl J Med 2006;
354:2509-2511, Jun 8, 2006.
Correspondence
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