Delirium: sifting through the confusion.
Delirium is commonly encountered in the hospital setting, particularly in the intensive care unit. However, the diagnosis is often missed, due in part to the nature of the illness, fluctuating levels of consciousness, and varied presentation. Even when it is recognized, delirium can be hard to manage, with multiple factors contributing to its course. In this article, we review the latest information regarding the underlying mechanisms of the syndrome and treatment options available. This is accomplished by examining two complex cases encountered at a university medical center-based psychosomatic service.
Khan
Raheel A
RA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis Medical Center, 2230 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. raheel.khan@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Kahn
Debra
D
Bourgeois
James A
JA
D000368:Aged; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index