Experimental gerontology
-
Experimental gerontology · Nov 2014
Multicenter StudyPrecipitating factors of delirium: stress response to multiple triggers among patients with and without dementia.
Delirium is common and serious acute syndrome among older people precipitated by multiple external factors such as acute illnesses, trauma, surgery, and drugs. The aim of this study was to find possible stressors and causative triggers for acute delirium and compare patients with or without dementia in this respect. ⋯ Most patients had multiple precipitating factors for delirium irrespective of prior dementia. Those with dementia and decreased cognitive reserves needed lower number of etiologies to develop delirium. The profile of causative agents differed among patients with and without dementia.