Background Recognition of the risk factors of delirium
has been clearly advantageous in preventing and managing
it as it occurs.
Aims The main aims of this study were to investigate the
occurrence of delirium and identify the associated risk
factors in a sample of hospitalized elderly in Southwestern
Iran.
Methods A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was
performed on a total of 200 elderly patients, admitted to a
general hospital for various health reasons. Data were
gathered over a 3-month period of time in 2010. Abbreviated
Mental Test score (AMTs) used for delirium
detection in post-admission days 1, 3, and 5, followed by
clinical diagnostic confirmation according to the DSM-IVTR
criteria for delirium. Information regarding physical,
cognitive, emotional, and functional states of the participants
was collected, too.
Results Delirium developed in 22 % of the participants.
The demographic characteristics of the patients with
delirium indicated that they were typically single, older
men who lived alone and had a lower level of education
and poorer functional status. Among other variables, the
following were significantly associated with delirium:
hemoglobin B12 (P\0.001); Blood urea nitrogen/creatinine
ratio C1/20 (P\0.005); and positive C-reactive
protein (P = 0.022); depressive symptoms (P\0.001),
and previous cognitive decline (P\0.001). Patients with
more than six different categories of medications were at
high risk for delirium as well.
Conclusions Delirium is a serious and common problem
in people over 60 years of age who are admitted to hospitals.
Understanding risk factors and clinical aspects of
delirium in elderly hospitalized patients will provide us
with a better delirium management strategy