Delirium superimposed on dementia is associated with prolonged length of stay and poor outcomes in hospitalized older adults. Issue 9 (19th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fick, Donna M.; Steis, Melinda R.; Waller, Jennifer L.; Inouye, Sharon K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital medicine. Volume 8:Issue 9(2013)
• Page Start: 500
• Page End: 505
• Publication Date: 2013-08-19
• Subjects: Hospital care -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/jhm.2077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1553-5592

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>BACKGROUND</title> <p>Current literature does not identify the significance of underlying cognitive impairment and delirium in older adults during and 30 days following acute care hospitalization.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> <p>Describe the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with incident delirium superimposed on dementia.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>DESIGN</title> <p>A 24‐month prospective cohort study.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>SETTING</title> <p>Community hospital.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>PATIENTS</title> <p>A total of 139 older adults (>65 years) with dementia.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>This prospective study followed patients daily during hospitalization and 1 month posthospital. Main measures included dementia (Modified Blessed Dementia Rating score, Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly), daily mental status change, dementia stage/severity (Clinical Dementia Rating, Global Deterioration Scale), delirium (Confusion Assessment Method), and delirium severity (Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98). All statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.3, and significance was an α level of 0.05. Logistic regression, analysis of covariance, or linear regression was performed controlling for age, gender, and dementia stage.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>The overall incidence of new delirium was 32% (44/139). Those with delirium had a 25% short‐term mortality rate, increased length of stay, and poorer function at discharge. At 1 month follow‐up, subjects with delirium had greater functional decline. Males were more likely to develop delirium, and for every 1 unit increase in dementia severity (Global Deterioration Scale), subjects were 1.5 times more likely to develop delirium.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhm2077-sec-0008" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>Delirium prolongs hospitalization for persons with dementia. Thus, interventions to increase early detection of delirium have the potential to decrease the severity and duration of delirium and to prevent unnecessary suffering and costs from the complications of delirium and unnecessary readmissions to the hospital. <italic>Journal of Hospital Medicine</italic> 2013;8:500–505. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine</p> </sec> </abstract>