title: [Delirium: an interdisciplinary challenge].
abstract: Delirium, the acute deterioration of cognitive function and attention, is the most frequent mental disorder in elderly. Its correct diagnosis and adequate management are of crucial importance for the patient's health and functional outcome. First of all, one has to be aware of the possibilities of preventing this complex, potentially life-threatening problem, which means recognizing the patient at risk, avoiding environmental stress and causal factors (i.e., anticholinergic medication) in cognitively impaired patients, and timely reaction to prodromal symptoms. Causal therapy (i.e., treatment of the causal condition and/or eliminating the precipitating situation) is imperative. It must be accompanied by nursing and environmental measures and, if necessary, by antipsychotic and/or sedating symptomatic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Akutgeriatrie, Krankenhaus Hietzing mit Neurologischem Zentrum Rosenhügel, Wolkersbergenstr. 1, 1130, Wien, Österreich, thomas.fruehwald@wienkav.at.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frühwald
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weissenberger-Leduc
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jagsch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gurlit
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Böhmdorfer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Iglseder
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D062706:Prodromal Symptoms; D063189:Symptom Assessment
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives