Underdiagnosed Delirium on Elderly Patients in the Emergency Room Principal Author

Abstract

Delirium is a fluctuant, transitional and acute affection of cognition and attention, with multifactorial aetiologies. It is a medical emergency and requires an integral evaluation to identify the underlying causes. In elderly people, over 65 years old, the incidence of Delirium oscillates greatly between 14% to 24% at the moment of hospitalization and 6% to 56% during the time of hospitalization. The prevalence of Delirium acquired in the community oscillates from 1% to 2%. However, this prevalence increases as high as 10% when entering the emergency department.