Delirium in older adults / Delirium em idosos

This narrative review provides a broad examination of the most current concepts on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by fluctuating changes in cognition and consciousness. With the interaction of underlying vulnerability and severity of acute insults, delirium can occur at any age but is particularly frequent in hospitalized older adults. Delirium is also associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including functional impairment, cognitive decline, increased healthcare costs, and death. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and cognitive assessments, preferably following systematized detection instruments, such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium and its consequences are most effectively fought using multicomponent preventive interventions, like those proposed by the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). When prevention fails, delirium management is primarily based on the identification and reversal of precipitating factors and the non-pharmacological control of delirium symptoms. Pharmacological interventions in delirium should be restricted to cases of dangerous agitation or severe psychotic symptoms.

Esta revisão narrativa examina de maneira abrangente os conceitos mais atuais sobre etiopatogenia, diagnóstico, prevenção e tratamento do delirium, uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica aguda caracterizada por mudanças flutuantes na cognição e na consciência. Com a interação entre a vulnerabilidade subjacente e a gravidade dos insultos agudos, delirium pode ocorrer em qualquer idade, mas afeta com notória frequência idosos hospitalizados. Delirium também está associado a diversos desfechos adversos, incluindo prejuízo funcional, declínio cognitivo, aumento dos custos de saúde e morte. O diagnóstico é baseado em avaliações clínicas e cognitivas, com preferência para o uso de instrumentos de detecção sistematizados, como o Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium e suas consequências são combatidos de forma mais eficaz por meio de intervenções preventivas com múltiplos componentes, como as propostas pelo Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). Quando há falha na prevenção, o manejo do delirium se baseia principalmente na identificação e na reversão dos fatores precipitantes e no controle não farmacológico dos sintomas do delirium. As intervenções farmacológicas no delirium devem ser restritas aos casos de agitação perigosa ou sintomas psicóticos graves.

Delirium en el adulto mayor hospitalizado / Delirium in elderly hospitalized patients

El delirium corresponde a un síndrome clínico frecuente y relevante en el adulto mayor hospitalizado. Su incidencia e impacto han sido reconocidos desde hace más de 30 años y su importancia en la atención del adulto mayor hospitalizado es creciente debido a que abarca diferentes escenarios clínicos (atención de urgencia, en pacientes hospitalizados por patologías médicas o quirúrgicas, en pacientes admitidos a unidades de cuidados intensivos, entre otros), y al envejecimiento poblacional, que ha conducido a que la atención hospitalaria moderna concentre cada vez una mayor cantidad de adultos mayores portadores de diversas condiciones crónicas, con grados diversos de fragilidad y discapacidad que requieren de nuestra mejor atención, de forma de reducir la aparición u optimizar el manejo de esta condición que puede ser devastadora para la evolución del adulto mayor posterior al egreso hospitalario. El presente capítulo pretende resumir el estado del arte de esta condición señalando, cuando corresponda, algunos de los elementos en controversia y donde nos parece necesario que la investigación nos señale innovadoras respuestas que permitan reducir su impacto.

Delirium is a frequent and relevant clinical syndrome in the elderly hospitalized. Incidence and impact has been recognized for more than 30 years, and its importance in the care of hospitalized older adults is increasing because it occurs in different clinical units (patients admitted in units of emergency, medical or surgical rooms, to intensive care units, among others), and the ageing population, which has led to modern hospital care concentrating a greater number of older adults with various chronic conditions, with varying degrees of frailty and disability that require our better attention, in order to reduce the occurrence or optimize the management of this condition, that can be devastating for the evolution of the elderly after hospital discharge. This chapter aims to summarize the state of the art of this condition, pointing out some controversial elements and where it seems necessary that the research shows us innovative answers that reduce its impact

Maior risco de delirium no pós-operatório está associado à idade avançada, anemia e baixa reserva cognitiva / Greater risk of postoperative delirium is associated with advanced age, anemia, and low cognitive reserve

INTRODUÇÃO: Delirium é uma mudança aguda na cognição e atenção, comum no período pós-operatório em pessoas idosas, associada ao aumento de custos e à permanência hospitalar. OBJETIVO: Avaliar frequência, fatores de risco e influência no período de permanência hospitalar de delirium pós-operatório em pacientes idosos submetidos a cirurgias não cardíacas eletivas. MÉTODO: Estudo do tipo transversal, observacional, de pessoas idosas (65 anos de idade ou mais), internadas para realização de cirurgia eletiva não cardíaca. Durante o período pré-operatório imediato (24 horas) foram avaliados os fatores de risco: idade, gênero, cognição (MiniCog), funcionalidade (Katz e time up and go), fármacos e aspectos clínicos. O delirium, no pós-operatório imediato (até 72 horas), foi avaliado através do Confusion Assesment Method (CAM). RESULTADOS: Oitenta e três pacientes foram incluídos na pesquisa, sendo 44,6% (n = 37) de cirurgia ortopédica, 42,16% (n = 35) de cirurgia geral e 13,3% (n = 11) de cirurgia urológica. Predominou o sexo masculino (53%), com idade média de 73 anos (65 a 94) anos. Na amostra de pacientes, 9,6% (n = 8) apresentaram delirium pós-operatório: 6% do tipo hiperativo (n = 5), 2,4% do tipo hipoativo (n = 2) e 1,2% do tipo misto (n = 1). Eram mais idosos (p = 0,02), com maior declínio cognitivo (p = 0,01), anemia (p = 0,04) e prolongamento na permanência hospitalar (p = 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O delirium pós-operatório foi observado com maior frequência nos pacientes mais idosos, portadores de declínio cognitivo e anemia, com influência no período de hospitalização, demonstrando a importância de uma avaliação preventiva mais abrangente no período pré-operatório.

INTRODUCTION: Delirium is an acute change in cognition and attention, common in the postoperative period in older patients, associated with increased costs and longer hospital stay. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency, risk factors, and influence of postoperative delirium in older patients submitted to elective noncardiac surgery. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, observational study of older adults (65 years or older) hospitalized for elective noncardiac surgery. During the immediate preoperative period (24 hours), risk factors such as age, sex, cognition (MiniCog), functional status (Katz and Timed Up and Go), medications, and clinical aspects were evaluated. Delirium, in the immediate postoperative period (up to 72 hours), was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included in the study. Of these, 44.6% (n = 37) had undergone orthopedic surgery, 42.16% (n = 35), general surgery, and 13.3% (n = 11), urological surgery. Most participants were men (53%), with a mean age of 73 (65­94) years. Overall, 9.6% (n = 8) had postoperative delirium: 6% of the hyperactive subtype (n = 5), 2.4% of the hypoactive subtype (n = 2), and 1.2% of the mixed subtype (n = 1). These patients were older (p = 0.02), had greater cognitive decline (p = 0.01), anemia (p = 0.04), and prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Postoperative delirium was more commonly observed in the older old with cognitive decline and anemia, with an impact on hospital length of stay, highlighting the importance of a more comprehensive preventive evaluation in the preoperative period.

Fatores relacionados ao delirium e à mortalidade em idosos vítimas de fratura de fêmur em uma enfermaria de ortopedia / Factors related to delirium and mortality in older adults with femur fracture on an orthopedic unit

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar as principais características clínicas do idoso internado por fratura de fêmur com a incidência de delirium e mortalidade durante a internação. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em pacientes com idade acima de 65 anos internados em enfermaria de ortopedia com fratura de fêmur. Foi aplicada aos pacientes e/ou cuidadores uma entrevista elaborada pelos autores para levantamento de suas características clínicas, sendo posteriormente realizada a correlação entre o perfil e a taxa de delirium e mortalidade. Para análise estatística, foi usado o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), o teste t de Student e o teste do χ2. Foi considerado estatisticamente significativo o valor p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Noventa pacientes com média de idade de 83 anos (65­99), sendo 77,8% mulheres. O tempo médio de internação foi de 19,7 dias, sendo identificado delirium em 39,9% dos pacientes, e a taxa de mortalidade foi de 17,8%. O delirium esteve significativamente associado à idade avançada (p = 0,046), ao uso de psicotrópicos ­ especialmente a quetiapina ­ , à maior taxa de mortalidade, ao diabetes mellitus, à síndrome demencial e à baixa funcionalidade. Mortalidade, por sua vez, apresentou associação com insuficiência renal crônica, menor funcionalidade e síndrome demencial. CONCLUSÃO: Encontramos que o delirium esteve associado a idades mais elevadas, à menor funcionalidade, ao diabetes mellitus, à síndrome demencial, ao maior desfecho de óbitos e ao uso de psicotrópicos; e a mortalidade, à síndrome demencial, à insuficiência renal crônica e à pior funcionalidade.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the main clinical characteristics of geriatric patients hospitalized for femur fracture with delirium incidence and mortality during hospitalization. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in patients over 65 years old admitted to an orthopedics unit with femoral fracture. The authors interviewed patients and / or caregivers to investigate their clinical characteristics, and subsequently correlate their profiles to the rates of delirium and mortality. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Student's t-test and χ2 test. Significance was established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Participants included 90 patients with a mean age of 83 years (65­99), 77.8% women. The mean length of stay was 19.7 days, with delirium identified in 39.9% of patients, and a mortality rate of 17.8%. Delirium was significantly associated with advanced age (p = 0.046), use of psychotropic drugs ­ especially quetiapine ­ , higher mortality rate, diabetes mellitus, dementia syndrome, and low functionality. Mortality, in turn, was associated with chronic kidney disease, lower functionality, and dementia syndrome. CONCLUSION: We found that delirium was associated with advanced age, lower functionality, diabetes mellitus, dementia syndrome, higher death outcomes, and the use of psychotropic drugs; and mortality was associated to dementia syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and worse functionality. KEYWORDS: geriatrics; femoral fractures; delirium; mortality.

Adaptação de teste para rastreio de delirium em idosos admitidos em serviço de urgência / Adaptation of a delirium screening test for elderly adults admitted to emergency departments

OBJETIVO: O delirium é uma das síndromes mais frequentes em idosos admitidos nas unidades de urgência e, apesar de apresentar sintomas e sinais bem estabelecidos, ainda há falhas de diagnóstico. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi adaptar o Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT) como teste de rastreio para delirium em idosos admitidos em uma unidade de urgência. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado no serviço de urgência de um hospital universitário em Brasília, Brasil, no período de abril a junho de 2014. Foram avaliados 90 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com 60 anos ou mais de idade. O Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) Instrument foi estabelecido como padrão ouro para diagnóstico de delirium. Foram aplicadas questões do AMT em versão traduzida e adaptada culturalmente, com quatro modelos distintos e outros reduzidos, todos comparados ao CAM a partir da curva característica de operação do receptor (ROC) (significância < 0,05; H0: ASC = 0,5) e à reprodutibilidade interavaliadores a partir do índice Kappa, por meio do SPSS, versão 22.0.0.0. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de delirium foi de 25,6%. O melhor dos quatro modelos do AMT apresentou sensibilidade de 78,3%, especificidade de 85,1%, com boa reprodutibilidade interavaliador (Kappa = 0,793). O melhor modelo reduzido foi o com quatro questões, com sensibilidade de 82,6%, especificidade de 82,1% e Kappa de 0,746. CONCLUSÕES: A adaptação do AMT (completa e reduzida) mostrou-se adequada como alternativa para o rastreio breve de delirium em idosos admitidos em unidades de urgência quando comparada ao padrão ouro, principalmente para pacientes desacompanhados e sem déficit cognitivo prévio.

OBJECTIVE: Delirium is one of the most frequent syndromes among elderly patients admitted to emergency units and, despite presenting well-established symptoms and signs, there are still diagnostic failures. Thus, the aim of the study was to adapt the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) as a screening tool for delirium in elderly adults admitted to an emergency department. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department of a university hospital in Brasília, Brazil between April and June, 2014. We evaluated 90 patients of both sexes, aged 60 years or older. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) Instrument was considered the gold standard for diagnosing delirium. The complete translated AMT, administered in four different culturally adapted models, as well as condensed models, were compared to the CAM receiver operating characteristics curve (significance < 0.05; H0: AUC = 0.5). Inter-rater agreement was evaluated with the kappa test, using SPSS version 22.0.0.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of delirium was 25.6%. The best of the four AMT models presented sensitivity and specificity of 78.3% and 85.1%, respectively, with good inter-rater reproducibility (Kappa = 0.793). The best condensed model included four questions, with sensitivity and specificity of 82.6% and 82.1%, respectively, and a kappa of 0.746. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the gold standard, the adapted AMT (complete or condensed) was adequate as an alternative for quick delirium screening in elderly patients admitted to an emergency department, especially for unaccompanied patients with no prior cognitive deficit

Prevalência do subdiagnóstico de delirium entre pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva / Prevalence of under-diagnosis of delirium among patients in an intensive care unit / Prevalencia del diagnóstico secundario de delirium entre los pacientes hospitalizados en unidad de cuidados intensivos

Introdução: o delirium é um distúrbio neurológico frequentemente manifestado por pacientes graves em unidades de terapia intensiva. Objetivo: identificar a prevalência do delirium entre pacientes internados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Método: estudo transversal retrospectivo, nos meses de fevereiro, março e abril de 2012. Foram analisados os prontuários de 128 pacientes internados, buscando características gerais dos pacientes e informações quanto ao nível de consciência e estado psíquico, através do instrumento de coleta de dados criado. Resultados: evidenciou-se que somente dois pacientes tiveram o diagnóstico confirmado, com uma prevalência de 2% do delirium. Conclusão: os resultados apontam para a necessidade de ampliação das discussões acerca do uso de protocolos de avaliação para o diagnóstico de delirium entre os profissionais que atuam nas unidades de terapia intensiva, para identificação precoce do agravo visando à prevenção e/ou tratamento adequado no período de hospitalização.

Introduction: delirium is a neurological disorder often presented by severe patients in Intensive Care Units. Objective: to identify the prevalence of delirium among patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Rio de Janeiro State. Method: this retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in February, March and April 2012. The medical records of 128 hospitalized patients were examined for general patient characteristics and information on level of consciousness and mental state, using a data collection instrument created specifically for the purpose. Results: a confirmed diagnosis was found in only two patients, with a 2% prevalence of delirium. Conclusion: the results point to the need for more extensive discussion of the use of evaluation protocols for diagnosis of delirium by ICU personnel, so that the disease can be detected early for prevention and/or appropriate treatment during hospitalization.

Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia de delirio entre los pacientes ingresados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Estado de Río de Janeiro. Método: este estudio retrospectivo transversal se llevó a cabo en febrero, marzo y abril de 2012. En las historias clínicas de 128 pacientes hospitalizados se examinaron las características del paciente e información general sobre el nivel de conciencia y estado mental, a través de un instrumento de recolección de datos creada específicamente para el propósito. Resultados: un diagnóstico confirmado fue encontrado en sólo dos pacientes, con una prevalencia del 2% del delirio. Conclusión: los resultados apuntan a la necesidad de una discusión más amplia de la utilización de protocolos de evaluación para el diagnóstico del delirio por el personal de la UCI, por lo que la enfermedad se puede detectar temprano para la prevención y / o tratamiento apropiado durante la hospitalización.

Estado confusional agudo / Acute confusional state

Delirium é um estado confusional agudo, patologia neuropsiquiátrica de forte importância em contexto emergencial e frequentemente subdiagnosticada. De etiologia variada, os pacientes com delirium devem receber manejo imediato e investigação causal básica para resolução completa do quadro.

Delirium is an acute confusional state, a neuropsychiatric pathology with great importance in the emergency department and frequently underdiagnosed. With multiple etiology, patients with delirium should receive immediate management and workup for complete clinical resolution.

Estudio del nivel de concordancia entre los diagnósticos prequirúrgico y artroscópico de lesiones meniscales asociadas a lesiones del ligamento cruzado anterior / Concordance between preoperatory diagnosis and arthroscopy findings of meniscal lesions associated to anterior cruciate ligament injury

Introducción: Las lesiones ligamentarias de la rodilla son comunes durante la segunda y tercera décadas de vida, su diagnóstico clínico es difícil ya que puede diferir con el diagnóstico definitivo. El objetivo es determinar la concordancia entre el diagnóstico preoperatorio-diagnóstico postoperatorio y entre la lesión meniscal sospechada-lesión meniscal encontrada, en pacientes con lesión del ligamento cruzado anterior. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal. En 29 pacientes con lesión del ligamento cruzado anterior a los cuales se realizó artroscopía. Las variables fueron edad, género, lado afectado, diagnóstico preoperatorio, diagnóstico postoperatorio, lesión meniscal sospechada, lesión meniscal encontrada. La estadística utilizada fue descriptiva, para la concordancia se usó índice de Kappa de Cohen. Resultados: Fueron 29 pacientes, 23 (79.3%) hombres y 6 (20.7%) mujeres, la edad promedio: 39.04 (15-50) ± 13.19 años, lado afectado derecho 69% e izquierdo 31%; el diagnóstico preoperatorio en 22 (75%) pacientes fue LLCA aislada, LLCA + menisco medial 6 (20.7%), LLCA + menisco lateral 1 (3.4%) y el diagnóstico artroscópico fue en 20 (68.96%) sin lesión meniscal, 7 (24.1%) lesión en menisco medial, 2 (6.9%) en menisco lateral, con una concordancia baja (Kappa 0.2), la concordancia diagnóstica preoperatoria intraobservador fue perfecta (Kappa 1.0); y la concordancia entre el diagnóstico de la lesión meniscal preoperatoria y de la lesión meniscal artroscópica fue baja (Kappa 0.2). Conclusiones: La concordancia entre el diagnóstico clínico-radiológico y el diagnóstico artroscópico en lesiones del LCA con asociación de lesión meniscal es baja, lo cual se tiene que tener en cuenta en la realización del diagnóstico inicial y en el tratamiento artroscópico de los pacientes.

Introduction: Ligament injuries of the knee joint are common during the second and third decades of life, clinical and radiological diagnosis presents difficulties since the surgical findings may differ significantly. The objective is to determine correlation between clinical-radiologic and arthroscopic diagnosis in patients with injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal lesions. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study held in 29 patients with ACL injury associated to meniscal lesions treated arthroscopically. Variables were age, gender, affected side, preoperative and postoperative diagnosis, type and location of meniscal injury; descriptive statistics and Cohen Kappa for concordance were used. Results: There were 29 patients, 23 (79.3%) men and 6 (20.7%) women, mean age 39.04 (15-50) ± 13.19 years; right side was affected in 69% and left in 31%; 19% had not meniscal lesion, 17.2% had injury in anterior horn, 10.3% in posterior horn and 6.9% in the body. The concordance between preoperative and artroscopic diagnosis was: Kappa 0.2; intraboservador was Kappa 1.0; between suspected meniscal injury and arthroscopic findings was: Kappa 0.2. Conclusions: The concordance between the clinical-radiological and arthroscopic diagnosis in patients with ACL injuries and meniscal injury associated is low, which has to be considered in the initial review and the arthroscopic treatment of patients.

Riesgo de delirium durante la hospitalización en personas mayores: desarrollo y validación de un modelo de predicción clínica / Development and validation of a clinical predictive model for delirium in hospitalized older people

Background: Delirium is a prevalent problem among older patients and it is frequently underdiagnosed. Aim: To develop and validate a clinical predictive model to identify patients at high risk of delirium. Material and Methods: Two consecutive prospective cohort studies were used to develop and validate the model. The development cohort included 542 consecutive medical inpatients, 65 years or older. The validation cohort included 85 comparable patients. A predictive score was constructed with a multivariate analysis, using variables independently associated with delirium and subsequently tested in the new cohort. Patients were assessed within the first 48 hours of admission, and every 48 hours thereafter, using the Confusion Assessment Method to diagnose delirium, evaluating also the severity of underlying disease, comorbidities, functionality, and laboratory data. Results: Delirium occurred in 192 patients (35.4%) of the development cohort and was independently associated with age and functional status assessed using the Barthel Index. With these two variables, the predictive score for delirium was developed and tested rendering an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of 0.80 (confidence intervals 0.77-0.85). Cut-off points were chosen to establish low, intermediate, and high-risk groups for delirium. According to these cut-off points, delirium frequencies in the development cohort were 8%, 23%, and 69%, and in the validation cohort 5%, 34%, and 66%, respectively (c² p < 0.05). Conclusions: This simple predictive model based on age and functional status may be a useful tool for identifying older patients risking delirium.

Delirium postoperatorio: una consecuencia del envejecimiento poblacional / Postoperative delirium among older people

Delirium (acute confusional state) is a common and disabling complication among surgical older people. It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Its incidence varies by type of intervention and it is associated with several complications such as functional impairment, cognitive dysfunction, prolonged hospitalization and institutionalization. These increase hospitalization costs and the risk of death. There are precipitating and predisposing risk factors, which increase the susceptibility for postoperative delirium. This condition should be considered as a syndrome of epidemiological importance, which needs to be prevented or treated in a timely manner through a multidisciplinary intervention. The perioperative care of elderly patients involves different medical specialties and is a subject of general knowledge.

Delirium en el hospital, una revisión narrativa / Delirium in the hospital, a narrative review

El delirium es una complicación frecuente entre pacientes hospitalizados, particularmente entre adultos mayores y aquellos con deterioro cognitivo. Se ha asociado a mayor mortalidad, estadías hospitalarias prolongadas, deterioro cognitivo, mayores tasas de institucionalización al alta y mayores costos para los sistemas de salud. Su fisiopatología es escasamente comprendida, planteándose en los últimos años un origen inflamatorio predominante. Ello explicaría su transversalidad y relación con la gravedad de cuadros subyacentes. Clínicamente se caracteriza por su inicio agudo con curso fluctuante, inatención, pensamiento desorganizado y un nivel de conciencia alterado. El enfrentamiento diagnóstico exige la búsqueda sistemática de desencadenantes en forma adicional a las manifestaciones del síndrome. Su tratamiento sintomático está basado en los neurolépticos como primera línea y el lorazepam en caso de que los primeros no puedan utilizarse o exista un escenario de indicación especial. Existe evidencia de que el cuadro puede prevenirse mediante la instauración de estrategias multicomponentes.

Delirium is a common complication in hospitalized patients, particularly the elderly and those with cognitive impairment. It has been associated with higher mortality, prolonged hospitalization, cognitive impairment, higher rates of institutionalization at discharge and higher costs for healthcare systems. Its pathophysiology is poorly understood, and more recently a predominantly inflammatory origin has been proposed, which could explain its pervasiveness and association with underlying conditions. Clinically, it is characterized by acute onset with fluctuating course, inattention, disorganized thinking and altered level of consciousness. Diagnostic approach is based on the systematic search for triggering factors as well as the manifestations of the syndrome. Symptomatic treatment is based neuroleptics as first line treatment, and lorazepam when the former cannot be used or there are special indications. There is evidence that the condition can be prevented by resorting to multi-component strategies.

Delirium en ancianos hospitalizados: Seguimiento de 18 meses / Delirium in elderly inpatients: An 18 month follow-up

El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la prevalencia de síndrome confusional agudo en ancianos hospitalizados, la evolución durante la internación y a los 18 meses. Se evaluó en forma prospectiva a pacientes de 70 años de edad o mayores, internados en el Servicio de Clínica Médica de nuestro hospital, entre septiembre de 2005 y mayo de 2006. Se utilizó una versión validada en español del Confussion Assessment Method para diagnosticar delirium. A los 18 meses se evaluó el estado vital, lugar de residencia, actividades de la vida diaria, dependencia de cuidadores y reinternaciones. Se evaluaron 194 pacientes y 74 fueron excluidos. De los 120 casos incluidos, 52 (43.3%) presentaron delirium. La edad media fue de 82.6 años (DS: 7.4) en el grupo de pacientes con síndrome confusional agudo y de 80.4 años (DS: 5.6) en el grupo de pacientes sin delirium. Al comparar estos dos grupos encontramos diferencias significativas en las características, siendo más frecuentes en el grupo con delirium la residencia previa en un centro de tercer nivel (17.3% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.002), la demencia (40.4% vs. 8.8%; p < 0.001), menor puntaje en la evaluación de las actividades de la vida diaria (5 vs. 6; p < 0.001), más días de internación (7 vs. 5; p = 0.04) y mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria (21.2% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.001). A los 18 meses de seguimiento después del alta, el desarrollo de delirium durante la internación se asoció a mayor grado de dependencia evidenciado por el peor puntaje en las actividades de la vida diaria (mediana 1/6 vs. 5/6) y a menor sobrevida actuarial 35.3% (CI 95%: 24-49%) a los 569 días y 49% (CI 95%: 32.9-65.4%) a los 644 días (p=0.027).

Delirium usually hardens care during hospitalization and increases morbidity during hospital stay and after discharge. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of delirium in elderly inpatients in a Buenos Aires hospital, its morbidity and mortality during hospital stay and the next 18 month follow-up. Patients aged 70 or older admitted to internal medicine unit between September 2005 and May 2006 were enrolled. Delirium was assessed with the Spanish version of Confusion Assessment Method. Demographic data, cause of admition and length of stay, destination after discharge and mortality were registered. A new evaluation was made 18 months after discharge. We evaluated 194 patients and 74 were excluded. Of the 120 included, 52 (43.3%) presented delirium. We found significant differences between patients with and without delirium in previous placement in nursing home (17.3% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.002), dementia (40.4% vs. 8.8%; p < 0.001), median activity of daily living (5 vs. 6; p < 0.001), length-of-stay (7 vs. 5; p = 0.04) and mortality rate (21.2% vs. 1.5%; p < 0.001). Evaluation 18 months later showed differences between patients with and without delirium in median of activity of daily living (1/6 vs. 5/6), patients living in nursing homes (27.5% vs. 7.9%), estimated survival 35.3% (CI 95%: 24-49%) at day 569 and 49% (CI 95%: 32.9-65.4%) at day 644. The difference between survival curves was statistically significant (p = 0.027). Delirium increases morbidity and mortality during hospital stay. Elderly with delirium are at risk of worsening disability and of becoming dependent after discharge and it is a risk factor for higher mortality during the following months after discharge.

Frecuencia y pesquisa de síntomas en pacientes crónicos en fases avanzadas en un hospital clínico: ¿Existe concordancia entre pacientes y médicos? / Frequency and assessment of symptoms in hospitalized patient with advanced chronic diseases: Is there concordance among patients and doctors?

Physicians tend to over or underestimate symptoms reported by patients. Therefore standardized symptom scoring systems have been proposed to overcome this drawback. Aim: To estimate the prevalence and the diagnostic accuracy of physical and psychological symptoms and delirium in patients admitted to an internal medicine service at a university hospital. Material and Methods: We studied 58 patients, 45 with metastasic cancer and 13 with other advanced chronic diseases. The following scales were used: the Confusion Assessment Method for the diagnosis of delirium; the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) for pain and other physical symptoms; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess anxiety and depression. The ESAS was simultaneously applied to patients without delirium and their doctors to assess the level of diagnostic concordance. Results: Twenty two percent of patients had delirium. Among the 45 patients without delirium, 11 (25 percent) had at least eight symptoms and 39 (88.6 percent) had four symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms was very high, ranging from 22 to 78 percent. Pain, restlesness, anorexia and sleep disorders were the most common. The concordance between symptoms reported by patients and those recorded by doctor was very low, with a Kappa index between 0.001 and 0.334. Conclusions: In our sample of chronic patients, there is a very high frequency of psychological and physical symptoms that are insufficiently recorded by the medical team.

Subdiagnóstico de delirium en adultos mayores hospitalizados / Delirium in Chilean elderly inpatients: an overlooked problem

Background: Delirium is a common underdiagnosed and undertreated problem in elderly inpatients, associated to higher morbidity, mortality and health cost. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of delirium at hospital admission in medically ill elderly patients and the attending physician's diagnosis and treatment of delirium. Patients and methods: In a prospective and descriptive study, consecutive patients aged 65 years or more, admitted to an internal medicine ward were evaluated by independent physicians, during the first 48 h of admission, to asses the presence of delirium. Diagnosis of delirium was based on the Confusion Assessment Method. Medical and nurse records were reviewed. Family was interviewed when necessary. Results: One hundred eight patients (52% women, age range 65-94 years) with an APACHE II score of 11.6±5, were evaluated. Fifty seven patients (53%) had delirium (32% hyperactive, 72% hypoactive and 5% mixed). Delirium prevalence was significantly higher in older patients (66% among those aged 75 years or older versus 30% in younger, p <0.05) and among patients with more severe conditions (88% among those with an APACHE score over 16 versus 47% below that value, p <0.05). Medical records of patients with delirium showed that this diagnosis was present only in 32% and cognitive deficit was described in 73%. Ten percent of patients with delirium received sedative medication and 38% were physically restricted. There were no environmental interventions to prevent or control delirium. Conclusions: Delirium in elderly inpatients at this unit is an extraordinarily prevalent problem, seriously under diagnosed (68%) and under treated. This study should alerts our medical community to improve the diagnosis and management of delirium in elderly inpatients.

Sindrome confusional agudo en pacientes internados / Acute confusional state in hospitalized patients

El síndrome confusional agudo (SCA) o delirio es uno de los trastornos mentales más frecuentes en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedades médicas. Se analizan 278 pacientes de los cuales 30 (10.8%) presentaron SCA. Los pacientes que presentaron esta complicación eran mayores de 70 años, con antecedentes de accidente cerebrovascular y demencia, con un menor desempeño de la actividad diaria previo a la internación y requirieron mayor utilización de alimentación enteral. Las infecciones y la fractura de cadera fueron las causas de internación más frecuentes. La mortalidad fue significativamente superior en los pacientes com SCA que en pacientes sin SCA.

Epidemiologia del delirio en ancianos hospitalizados / Epidemiology of delirium in enderly inpatients

El objetivo fue determinar la incidencia de delirio y sus factores de riesgo en una cohorte de ancianos internados. Se seleccionaron al azar 249 ancianos sin delirium al ingreso a 2 salas de internación general, entre junio y septiembre de 1995. Fueron evaluados diariamente con el Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), validado para diagnostico de delirio. Se obtuvieron los riesgos relativos para la asociación de delirio con algunas variables clínicas; aquellas independientemente asociadas fueron incluidas en un modelo de regresión logística. Se utilizaron Chi-cuadrado con la corrección de Yates para análisis univariado y T-test para la comparación de medias. Se observó que el 20, 5 por ciento (IC95 por ciento 18.9-22.3) desarrolló delirio. La gravedad de la enfermedad (RR 1.28, 133-2.56), las enfermedades crónicas (RR 3.45, 2.4-4.96) y la fiebre (RR 1.84, 1.33-2.56) se encontraron independientemente asociados al desarrollo de delirio. Estos pacientes con delirio presentaron internaciones más prolongadas (9.87 días +/- 3.48 vs 6.95 días +/- 2.45, p < 0.05), mayor riesgo de derivación a centros de tercer nivel (OR = 16.2 IC95 por ciento 4.5-25.3) y mayor mortalidad (RR 2.19, IC 95 por ciento 1.26-3.79). Se concluye que el delirio es frecuente y tiene impacto negativo en la utilización de recursos como la estadía hospitalaria y la utilización de instituciones de cuidados crónicos, así como también en la mortalidad. Varias características se asociaron al mismo, siendo novedosa la severidad de la enfermedad. Es posible identificar prospectivamente a pacientes en riesgo, para implementar estrategias que minimicen su impacto.

Sindrome confusional agudo (delirio) en los servicios de medicina del HNERM / Delirium in patients of the department of medicine of the HNERM

Para determinar la incidencia, etiología y epidemiología del delirio, se realizó un estudio prospectivo descriptivo de 102 pacientes portadores del delirio, diagnosticados mediante la aplicación del Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), hospitalizados en los servicios de Medicina Interna del HNERM-IPSS durante los meses de Enero a Julio de 1993. Se encontró una incidencia de 25.9 por ciento, el 90 por ciento de pacientes fueron mayores de 60 años, el 17.6 por ciento presentó delirio puro, el 18.6 por ciento presentó delirio sobre cuadro de demencia. La mortalidad fue del 21.6 por ciento (las causas más frecuentes fueron: Infecciones pulmonares y del tracto urinario, seguido de los transtornos metabólicos). Se concluye que el delirio es un cuadro común en ancianos hospitalizados, que es pobremente diagnosticado y su reconocimiento se facilitaría con la aplicación del MMSE y el uso de un protocolo dirigido de diagnóstico.