Delirium and it's Risk Factors among Elderly Patients

Delirium is a common syndrome prevalent among hospitalized elderly patients. The prevalence is estimated to be 11 to 42 percent among elderly patients admitted in medical wards. The consequences of delirium could be significant such as an increase in mortality in the hospital, long-term cognitive decline, loss of autonomy and increased risk for long term hospitalization. Despite being a common condition, delirium remains under-recognized, poorly understood and inadequately managed. Therefore a descriptive study was conducted in private medical wards of a Tertiary care hospital in South India, to assess the prevalence of delirium and its risk factors among hospitalized elderly patients.150 participants were included in the study by total enumerative sampling technique. The short version of Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Delirium Risk Assessment Tool (DRAT) were used to assess prevalence and its risk factors.74 % of the participants had risk factors for delirium of which 11 % of them had delirium. There was statistically significant association between delirium and its risk factors. Findings of the study helped to develop a protocol on multicomponent nonpharmacological nursing interventions, which will enable nurses to identify delirium and to care for elderly patients with delirium.