Delirium in geriatric patients
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift review… · 2022 · Austria
Source and licence
- Authors
- Bernhard Iglseder, Thomas Frühwald, Christian Jagsch
- Title
- Delirium in geriatric patients
- Journal
- Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 2022
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Changes
- Verbatim excerpts; formatting adapted
Full text retrieved 2026-10-27 from Europe PMC · PMC8744373
Licence statement of the original publication
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Abstract
Delirium is the most common acute disorder of cognitive function in older patients. Delirium is life threatening, often under-recognized, serious, and costly. The causes are multifactorial, with old age and neurocognitive disorders as the main risk factors. Etiologies are various and multifactorial, and often related to acute medical illness, adverse drug reactions, or medical complications. To date, diagnosis is clinically based, depending on the presence or absence of certain features. In view of the multifactorial etiology, multicomponent approaches seem most promising for facing patients’ needs. Pharmacological intervention, neither for prevention nor for treatment, has been proven effective unanimously. This article reviews the current clinical practice for delirium in geriatric patients, including etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prevention, and outcomes.
Contents of the original publication
The section headings of the original.
- Introduction
- Symptomatology and epidemiology
- Pathogenesis and etiology
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Medication for prevention?
- Treatment
- Pharmacological therapy
- Antipsychotics (neuroleptics):
- Benzodiazepines:
- Trazodone:
- Delirium in the intensive care unit
- Prognosis
- Conclusion
- Contributor Information
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