The Prognosis of Delirium

Abstract

Abstract: This paper aims to undertake a systematic review of the published experience on the prognosis of delirium. Using a standard search strategy, we identified studies and assessed them using standard criteria for validity. Seventeen cohorts were identified, with length of follow‐up varying from hospital discharge to four years. Although delirium usually results in increased adverse outcomes in both the short and long term, the mechanism is unclear. A good case can be made, however, that, especially in older patients, delirium and dementia represent alternative expressions of the same underlying pathology.