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In recent years, delirium researchers around the world have celebrated World Delirium Day to increase knowledge of delirium among health professionals and most people.
"In simple terms, delirium is a state of acute confusion related, for example, to illness, injury, surgery, or anesthesia," says Sigurd Evensen, a geriatric specialist at ABC News.
He is the first author of a new study that examined the signs of delirium in elderly patients in Norwegian emergency clinics.
On World Delirium Day last year, Evensen and his colleagues screened delirium and cognitive impairment in patients over 75 years old in 10 different emergency clinics in Norway. The results are published in the journal of the Norwegian Medical Association on Wednesday, March 13, World Delusion Day 2019.
The researchers found signs of delirium in 17% of the 118 participants.
– There was no prior mapping of delirium in Norwegian emergency departments, but its incidence is about the same as in other countries, says Evensen, senior consultant at Diakonhjemmet Hospital and PhD student in the Department of neuroscience and movement science, NTNU.
Read also: Tromsø researchers link cardiac fibrillation to dementia
– Risk of serious illness not detected
Sigurd Evensen, a specialist in geriatric diseases, has investigated the occurrence of acute delirium or confusion in elderly patients in Norwegian emergency clinics.
– Why would you want to do this survey?
– Because delirium is a common condition that is important for every patient and for the entire health system, Evensen reacts.
He explains that delirium affects about one in three elderly people hospitalized and is associated with increased mortality, increased risk of dementia, increased risk of hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, complications related to Hospitalization and increased health care costs.
– In addition, delirium is embarrassing for patients and their loved ones and represents a challenge for health professionals, says Superior.
He points out that it is important that people who work with older people know that sudden mental changes are signs of illness.
– Such changes should not be ignored as the patient needs more care. Then you may not detect a serious illness such as a heart attack, blood clot, hip fracture or blood poisoning, the researcher said.
How the researchers selected the participants:
The researchers used the 4AT test developed in the UK. The test has four points:
In the first point, the investigator must assess whether the patient is normally vigilant and environmentally aware.
The second point is a brief orientation test in which the patient must indicate his own age, date of birth, place of examination and year.
The third point is an attention test in which the patient must indicate the months of the year in reverse order (December – November – October, etc.).
In paragraph 4, the investigator should evaluate, based on medical history, comparative information and newspaper information, whether there is evidence of acute changes or fluctuations in cognition, of the degree of impairment. attention or conscience.
Source: "Delirium and cognitive impairment in older people in Norwegian emergency rooms", Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association
He adds that it is important that loved ones also understand that acute mental changes are synonymous with illness and that it is necessary to contact a doctor.
Read also: – Medications can be directly fatal for the elderly if we do not take into account
– Can prevent a lot of suffering
"Having delirium is unfortunate and preventing this disease will avoid a lot of suffering," said Evensen.
– How to prevent delirium?
– Studies show that in hospitals, it is possible to avoid adequate units with individual rooms, clocks and calendars, as well as a calm and clear environment and a stable workforce. In addition, reduced sedative consumption, nutrition, activation and orientation seem preventative. It is important to have clean glasses and working hearing aids for those who need them, Evensen responds and continues:
– By providing these things, we can reduce the incidence of delirium up to 40-50%.
Signs of cognitive failure were found in 30%
Cognitive failure for other causes is also common among hospitalized elderly and is a significant risk factor for delirium.
In the recent study, researchers found evidence of other cognitive disorders in 30% of patients.
"Our numbers indicate that all hospital departments treating older patients routinely see these issues, so all departments should have routines to identify and manage patients with delirium and cognitive impairment," the researcher writes in the Journal.
Read also: – Side effects of drugs can be confused with dementia
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