Frequency of delirium in a neurological emergency room.
The authors present a cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate the presence of delirium in patients with neurological emergencies. Two hundred and two patients were included in the study: 14.9% of subjects had delirium; 62.4% had no arousal disturbances; and 22.7% presented a coma or stupor state. Findings revealed that the presence of a cerebral infection, the presence of multiple etiologies, and the location of lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes were all associated with delirium. Results substantiate that delirium is a frequent occurrence in neurological patients and that the presence of multiple etiologies must be investigated in each patient.
Ramirez-Bermudez
Jesus
J
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Neurological Emergencies of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, México City, México.
Lopez-Gómez
Mario
M
Sosa Ana
Luisa
L
Aceves
Sergio
S
Nader-Kawachi
Juan
J
Nicolini
Humberto
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003128:Coma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003693:Delirium / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology