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Previous Volume 354:1157-1165 March 16, 2006 Number 11 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Delirium, an acute decline in attention and cognition, is a common, life-threatening, and potentially preventable clinical syndrome among persons who are 65 years of age or older. The development of delirium often initiates a cascade of events culminating in the loss of independence, an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and increased health care costs.^1,2,3,4,5,6 Delirium in hospitalized older patients has assumed particular importance because the care of such patients accounts for more than 49 percent of all hospital days.⁷ Delirium complicates hospital stays for at least 20 percent of the 12.5 million patients 65 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

Source Information

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.

Related Letters:

Delirium in Older Persons
Anton E., Marti J., Kwatra M. M., Böhner H., Schneider F., Inouye S. K.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2006; 354:2509-2511, Jun 8, 2006. Correspondence

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