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DSM-5 Criteria
- Disturbance in attention + awareness
- Develops short period, fluctuates
- Cognitive disturbance
- Not better explained
- Evidence of physiological cause
Subtypes
- Hyperactive
- Hypoactive (most common, often missed)
- Mixed
Risk Factors
- Age > 65
- Dementia
- Prior delirium
- Severe illness
- Sensory impairment
Common Precipitants
- Medications (#1 anticholinergic, BZD, opioid)
- Infection (UTI, pneumonia)
- Metabolic
- Withdrawal
- Surgery
- ICU
CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)
- 1: Acute onset + fluctuating, AND
- 2: Inattention, AND EITHER
- 3: Disorganized thinking, OR
- 4: Altered LOC
Delirium vs Dementia
| Acute |
Insidious |
| Fluctuating |
Progressive |
| Inattention hallmark |
Memory hallmark |
| Often reversible |
Usually not |
| Days-weeks |
Months-years |
HELP Program
- Reorientation
- Sleep enhancement
- Mobility
- Hearing + vision aids
- Hydration
- Family involvement
- Avoid restraints
Pharmacologic Last Resort
- Low-dose haloperidol 0.5-1 mg
- Quetiapine (PD, DLB)
- Risperidone
- AVOID benzodiazepines (paradoxical) except alcohol/BZD withdrawal
- ECG check (QT)
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (DTs)
- 48-96 hr after last drink
- Severe agitation, hallucinations, autonomic
- BZDs first-line
- Thiamine before glucose
- Mortality 5-15% if untreated
ICU Delirium
- 50-80% of ICU patients
- ABCDEF bundle
- Dexmedetomidine over BZDs
- CAM-ICU screening
Drug-Induced Delirium Mnemonic
- A: Anticholinergics
- B: Benzodiazepines
- C: Cardiovascular (digoxin, diuretics, β-blockers)
- D: Drugs (illicit)
- E: ENT (antihistamines)
- F: Furosemide (electrolyte)
- G: GI (H2 blockers, antiemetics)
- H: Hormones (steroids)
Anticholinergic Burden
- ACB Scale, Beers Criteria
- Cumulative anticholinergic load
- Common offenders: oxybutynin, scopolamine, diphenhydramine, TCAs, low-potency antipsychotics
Specific Causes
UTI in Elderly
- Often presents only with delirium
- Treat
- But avoid overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria
Constipation
- Common contributor
- Often overlooked
- Disimpaction + bowel regimen
Urinary Retention
- Bladder scan
- Catheter if needed
Hyponatremia
- Common cause
- Especially SIADH, thiazides
- Careful correction