International psychogeriatrics
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Review Case Reports
Benzodiazepine-induced and anticholinergic-induced delirium in the elderly.
Encompassing the range from subtle cognitive impairments to frank delirium, toxicity due to benzodiazepines and to anticholinergic-containing compounds is reviewed. For benzodiazepines, an extensive literature suggests that they impair immediate and delayed memory, psychomotor performance, and subjective complaints of station. ⋯ Toxicity from anticholinergic compounds, detected by anticholinergic drug levels, is significantly correlated with the presence and severity of delirium in a number of settings including postoperative patients and elderly nursing home residents. Possible means of identifying the syndrome by prediction of dose and type of medication, as well as by quantitative EEG, are reviewed.
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Data to demonstrate that psychosocial factors, sensory deprivation, or sleep deprivation alone can cause delirium are few. Nonetheless, these factors or conditions may contribute to the development or symptom presentation of a delirium when other metabolic or toxic etiologies are present. ⋯ Clinical experience suggests that attention to the patient's psychological state through frequent orientation, emotional support, and frequent explanation can help. Low-dose neuroleptic drugs are occasionally useful and necessary.
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Postoperative delirium is a common syndrome that is often mistaken for other psychiatric conditions, particularly depression. Numerous investigators have found a clear convincing association between delirium and increased morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Lastly, areas demanding immediate further investigation are identified. In particular, outcome studies with particular emphasis on the role of age and prior drug exposure are urgently needed.
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Delirium is the second most common psychiatric diagnosis among hospitalized elderly cancer patients. A variety of factors are known to cause delirium in cancer patients, and the most frequently observed are outlined. ⋯ Haloperidol is the most commonly prescribed drug for delirium in the cancer setting because of its low cardiovascular and anticholinergic effects. Cancer patients who are debilitated require a much lower starting dose than do the physically healthy.
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This prospective study determined the incidence and prevalence of delirium in 235 consecutive subjects over age 70 admitted to a general medicine hospital service. The DSM-III criteria for delirium were operationalized. ⋯ Analysis of these data indicates that the DSM-III criteria describe a discrete, recognizable syndrome. However, some of the symptoms are more specific than others in identifying the syndrome in this population.