A Case of Prolonged Wernicke's Encephalopathy After Treatment With IV Thiamine Due to the Subsequent Development of Refeeding Syndrome.

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a rare, life-threatening condition in which thiamine deficiency causes dysfunction of the Kreb's cycle, accumulation of lactic acid in the brain tissues, and irreversible cognitive impairment. Prompt treatment with IV thiamine can reverse the process. The classic Wernicke's triad of ataxia, memory issues, and ocular abnormalities is not often present. Caine's criteria, which requires two of the following: dietary deficiencies, ocular abnormalities, altered cognition or mental status, and cerebellar dysfunction, is highly sensitive and specific for Wernicke's diagnosis, especially in patients with alcohol use disorder. Refeeding syndrome (RS) has similar risk factors to WE, including disease states that lead to malnutrition. Patients with RS develop WE due to thiamine depletion that occurs when oral nutrition is reinitiated after a period of poor oral intake. We present a patient with initially undetected WE who developed RS after the initiation of treatment with IV thiamine. RS prolonged the neurologic symptoms of WE and led to an extended hospital stay and significant physical debility. In our patient, WE preceded RS instead of occurring as a consequence of it. The case highlights that if one of these disorders is present, the other may not be far behind. When WE precedes RS, prolonged treatment with IV thiamine may be warranted until the symptoms of both disorders resolve.

Delirium in Home Care: A Case Report.

Delirium is a challenging medical problem, particularly in the home care setting, and greatly affects both patients and family caregivers. When delirium is not immediately detected and effectively managed, various outcomes are adversely affected. This report describes delirium in an older home-bound man and offers strategies for detecting and managing delirium in a home care setting. The patient is a frail 86-year-old man with multiple medical comorbidities and functional decline after bronchitis that was diagnosed by a general practitioner. Following the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of bronchitis, the patient suffered a major decline in cognitive and physical functioning during normal daily activities. Medical screening revealed confusion, apathy, and extreme fatigue. Using the assessment tool of the Functional Independence Measures and Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS), the presence of functional decline and delirious symptoms were found. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, a treatment plan was initiated. It consisted of hydration following a fixed schedule, adapted nutrition, a temporary adapted medication schedule for pre-diabetes, and an exercise plan. No specific pharmaceuticals were given. The patient made a full recovery over time. All professional and informal caregivers should be aware of the potential presence of delirium when an older patient with a deteriorating physical or mental condition presents itself. Good diagnostics for delirium and possible underlying diseases are necessary. Adequate treatment, with the help of paramedics such as dieticians, physiotherapists, etc. must be provided when necessary.

A Case of Refractory Delirium Managed by a Multimodal Approach Using Atypical Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, and Benzodiazepines in an ICU Setting.

Delirium is an acute confusional state, most commonly observed in elderly patients admitted to the critical care unit. In most cases, early recognition, avoiding triggering factors and conservative measures are adequate for the management, but sometimes symptoms persist despite adequate medical care, which goes in the favor of refractory delirium. Refractory delirium has no clear-cut definition but it is discussed in some of the case reports and literature as the presence of symptoms despite adequate treatment without impairing consciousness. Management of such refractory symptoms requires careful evaluation to identify the cause and predominant symptoms, which further helps in choosing a better therapeutic regime. It is often difficult to manage such cases and require sedatives and anti-psychotics to reverse the condition. Atypical antipsychotics are now playing a prominent role in the management of refractory delirium, and the selection of a drug that is suitable for the patient profile with negligible side effects is of utmost importance. We are presenting one such case, with multiple causes for his delirium, with a predominant hyperactive state and the refractory symptoms managed by atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines.

Persistent delirium in older hospital patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Delirium is associated with future dementia progression. Yet whether this occurs subclinically over months and years, or persistent delirium merges into worsened dementia is not understood. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of persistent delirium and understand variation in its duration. Methods: We adopted an identical search strategy to a previous systematic review, only including studies using a recognised diagnostic framework for ascertaining delirium at follow-up (persistent delirium). Studies included hospitalised older patients outside critical and palliative care settings. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on 11th January 2022. We applied risk of bias assessments based on Standards of Reporting of Neurological Disorders criteria and assessed strength of recommendations using the grading of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach. Estimates were pooled across studies using random-effects meta-analysis, and we estimated associations with follow-up duration using robust error meta-regression. Results: We identified 13 new cohorts, which we added to 10 from the previous systematic review (23 relevant studies, with 39 reports of persistent delirium at 7 time-points in 3186 individuals admitted to hospital care (mean age 82 years and 41% dementia prevalence). Studies were mainly at moderate risk of bias. Pooled delirium prevalence estimates at discharge were 36% (95% CI 22% to 51%, 13 studies). Robust error meta-regression did not show variation in prevalence of persistent delirium over time (-1.6% per month, 95% CI -4.8 to 1.6, p=0.08). Margins estimates for this model indicate a prevalence of persistent delirium of 16% (95% CI 6% to 25%) at 12 months. Conclusions: This systematic review emphasises the importance of delirium as a persistent and extensive problem (GRADE certainty = moderate), raising questions on chronic delirium as a clinical entity and how it might evolve into dementia. Addressing persistent delirium will require a whole-system, integrated approach to detect, follow-up and implement opportunities for recovery across all healthcare settings.

A retrospective study of factors associated with persistent delirium.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that delirium causes various problems. Many researchers have reported the risk factors associated with the onset of delirium; however, there are few reports focused on persistent delirium. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with persistent delirium. METHODS: A total of 573 patients hospitalised in Nara Prefecture General Medical Centre from October 2014 through September 2017 who were referred to the psychiatry consultation service were included in this study. Persistent delirium was defined as delirium lasting for 14 days or more. A retrospective study was carried out based on the patients' records. The relationship between various background factors and persistent delirium was statistically analysed. RESULTS: Of the 573 hospitalised patients, 295 were diagnosed as having delirium. Forty-six patients with persistent delirium and 181 patients with nonpersistent delirium were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that male gender, opioid analgesics use, non-opioid analgesics use, and low serum sodium were significantly and independently associated with persistent delirium. Ramelteon or trazodone was used significantly more in persistent delirium, although each use was not significant. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to reveal that male gender and use of analgesics were associated with persistent delirium in general hospital. However, as this is a case-control study and may contain bias, future cohort studies and intervention studies are needed. It is also necessary to investigate the relevance of the 'degree of pain' behind the use of analgesics.

Persistent Hallucinations in a 46-Year-Old Woman After COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has ravaged the world with its novel symptoms, infection rates, and death toll. The research community continues to learn more about the sequalae of the infection as it does not follow the pattern of a typical coronavirus. This is a case of persisting auditory and visual hallucinations in a 46-year-old woman after a COVID-19 induced delirium. The hallucinations remained, despite recovery from the virus, for almost three months with resolution of all other signs and symptoms. The hallucinations eventually disappeared and their persistence was believed to be continued symptomatology after treatment.

La persistencia de delirium a los 3 meses del egreso de los pacientes ancianos hospitalizados en una clínica universitaria / Persistent Delirium in Elderly patients Three Months After Hospital Discharge from a University Clinic

RESUMEN Objetivos: El delirium es muy prevalente entre los pacientes ancianos con enfermedad general. Si no se revierte en el momento del alta hospitalaria, se lo considera «delirium persistente¼ (DP). El propósito del estudio es describir la prevalencia y las características de los pacientes con DP 3 meses después del egreso hospitalario de la Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana (CUB). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal para evaluar la prevalencia y las características de los pacientes de 65 o más arios del servicio de hospitalización de la CUB que cumplieran criterios de delirium del DSM-5 al ingreso, el egreso y 3 meses después. Se determinaron las variables sociodemográficas y se aplicaron las escalas CGI-S y DRS-R98. Resultados: Se evaluó a 30 pacientes con diagnóstico de delirium con interconsulta por psiquiatría de enlace entre abril y octubre de 2013, y se excluyó a 6 por no cumplir los criterios de inclusión. Se incluyó en el estudio a 24 pacientes, de los que 9 fallecieron durante la hospitalización (37,5%). De los 15 sobrevivientes, 5 (el 20,8% de la muestra) presentaron remisión del delirium al egreso y 10 (41,6%) continuaron con síntomas y conformaron el grupo de DP. Del grupo de DP, 5 (20,8%) presentaron DP completo y los otros 5 (20,8%), DP subsindrómico (DPSS). A los 3 meses del egreso, solo 2 pacientes (8,3%) continuaron con DP completo y otros 2 (8,3%), con DPSS. En el grupo de pacientes con DP, la prevalencia fue del 30% (diagnóstico de delirium al ingreso) y una incidencia del 70% (aparición del delirium durante la hospitalización). Conclusiones: Un grupo importante de pacientes con delirium continúan sintomáticos 3 meses después del alta. El 40% de los pacientes con síntomas persistentes en el seguimiento a 3 meses indica una trayectoria de mejoría gradual del delirium, lo cual tiene implicaciones en la práctica clínica.

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of patients with persistent delirium (PD) at three months after hospital discharge. Methodology: Longitudinal descriptive study to assess the prevalence and characteristics of in-patients aged 65 years and older in the Clinica Universitaria Bolivariana who met DSM-5 criteria for delirium at admission, at discharge, and at a 3-month follow up assessment. Socio-demographic features were determined, and CGI-S and DRS-R98 scales used. Results: A total of 30 patients were evaluated between April and October 2013, but 6 did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. The study included 24 patients, with 9 (37.5%) dying during hospitalisation. Of the 15 surviving patients, five (20.8% of the total sample) had their delirium resolved at discharge, and ten (41.6% of the sample) continued with symptoms. These established the PD group, of whom five of them (20.8%) had full PD, and the other five (20.8%) sub-syndromal PD (SSPD). At the final assessment, only two patients (8.3%) continued with full PD, and another two (8.3%) with SSPD. Among the PD group, 30% had a full delirium at admission (prevalence), and 70% developed full delirium during hospitalization (incidence). Conclusions: A significant number of patients did not recover from delirium at leaving hospital, and remained symptomatic three months after discharge. The study findings suggest a course of gradual improvement of delirium, with a persistence of symptoms over time in 40% of the patients, which would have implications for the clinical practice.

Persistent Delirium in Elderly patients Three Months After Hospital Discharge from a University Clinic. / La persistencia de delirium a los 3 meses del egreso de los pacientes ancianos hospitalizados en una clínica universitaria.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of patients with persistent delirium (PD) at three months after hospital discharge. METHODOLOGY: Longitudinal descriptive study to assess the prevalence and characteristics of in-patients aged 65 years and older in the Clinica Universitaria Bolivariana who met DSM-5 criteria for delirium at admission, at discharge, and at a 3-month follow up assessment. Socio-demographic features were determined, and CGI-S and DRS-R98 scales used. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were evaluated between April and October 2013, but 6 did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. The study included 24 patients, with 9 (37.5%) dying during hospitalisation. Of the 15 surviving patients, five (20.8% of the total sample) had their delirium resolved at discharge, and ten (41.6% of the sample) continued with symptoms. These established the PD group, of whom five of them (20.8%) had full PD, and the other five (20.8%) sub-syndromal PD (SSPD). At the final assessment, only two patients (8.3%) continued with full PD, and another two (8.3%) with SSPD. Among the PD group, 30% had a full delirium at admission (prevalence), and 70% developed full delirium during hospitalization (incidence). CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients did not recover from delirium at leaving hospital, and remained symptomatic three months after discharge. The study findings suggest a course of gradual improvement of delirium, with a persistence of symptoms over time in 40% of the patients, which would have implications for the clinical practice.

Persistent Delirium in Chronic Critical Illness as a Prodrome Syndrome before Death.

BACKGROUND: Chronic critical illness (CCI) patients have poor functional outcomes, high risk of mortality, and significant sequelae, including delirium and cognitive dysfunction. The prognostic significance of persistent delirium in patients with CCI has not been well described. OBJECTIVE: We report a case of a patient with CCI following major cardiac surgery who was hemodynamically stable following a long course in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU), but had persistent and unremitting delirium. Despite both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to improve his delirium, the patient ultimately continued to have symptoms of delirium and subsequently died in the CTICU. Efforts to reconsider the goals of care, given his family's understanding of his values, were met with resistance as his cardiothoracic surgeon believed that he had a reasonable chance of recovery since his organs were not in failure. This case description raises the question of whether we should consider persistent delirium as a prodrome syndrome before death in patients with CCI. DESIGN: Study and analysis of a case of a patient with CCI following major cardiothoracic surgery who was hemodynamically stable with persistent delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies of the prevalence and outcomes of prolonged or persistent agitated delirium in patients with chronic critical illness are needed to provide prognostic information that can assist patients and families in receiving care that accords with their goals and values.

Severe, Persistent and Fatal Delirium in Psychogeriatric Patients Admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although delirium is generally regarded as a transient syndrome, persistence of delirium in patients with cognitive impairment - even with fatal outcome - has been reported as well. This study aims to describe the clinical features and neuropathological correlates of this type of delirium. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for this case series were: (1) severe persistent delirium until death, (2) history of cognitive decline and (3) consent for brain autopsy. Medical records were examined in combination with collected clinical data and neuropathological findings. RESULT: In 15 patients, all living at home before admission, episodes with delirium lasted for 4.2 months on average. No distinct medical causes of persistent delirium could be identified. Pathological diagnoses included Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies as well as single cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. CONCLUSION: Severe, persistent and fatal delirium in patients with cognitive impairment can occur relatively early in the disease trajectory and is associated with diverse neuropathologies.

Delirium in advanced age and dementia: A prolonged refractory course of delirium and lower functional status.

OBJECTIVE: The factors associated with persistent delirium, in contrast to resolved delirium, have not been studied well. The aim of our present study was to identify the factors associated with delirium resolution as measured by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) and functional improvement as measured by the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale. METHOD: All subjects were recruited from psychiatric referrals at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The two study instruments were performed at baseline (T1), at 2-3 days (T2), and at 4-7 days (T3). Subjects with persistent delirium were compared to those with resolved delirium in respect to sociodemographic and medical variables. RESULTS: Overall, 26 out of 111 patients had persistent delirium. These patients were older, predominantly male, and had more frequently preexisting comorbid dementia. Among cancer diagnoses and stage of illness, brain cancer and terminal illness contributed to persistent delirium or late response, whereas gastrointestinal cancer was associated with resolved delirium. Among etiologies, infection responded late to delirium management, usually at one week. Furthermore, delirium was more severe in patients with persistent delirium from baseline through one week. At baseline, MDAS scores were 20.1 in persistent delirium compared to 17 to 18.8 in resolved delirium (T2 and T3), and at one week of management (T3), MDAS scores were 15.2 and 4.7 to 7.4, respectively. At one week of management, persistent delirium manifested in more severe impairment in the domains of consciousness, cognition, organization, perception, psychomotor behavior, and sleep-wake cycle. In addition, persistent delirium caused more severe functional impairment. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: In this delirium sample, advanced age and preexisting dementia, as well as brain cancer, terminal illness, infection, and delirium severity contributed to persistent delirium or late response, indicating a prolonged and refractory course of delirium, in addition to more severe functional impairment through one week of management.