How Deadly Is Delirium in Elders?

Older patients who present with delirium to emergency departments (EDs) are known to have poor prognoses, yet whether the high morbidity and mortality result from delirium or preexisting comorbidities is unclear. Researchers prospectively studied a convenience sample of 628 patients aged ≥65 who presented to a tertiary care academic ED to determine whether acute delirium is independently associated with 6-month mortality.

Delirium was diagnosed in 108 patients (17%) using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Delirious patients were more likely to be older, to be severely ill, and to have higher comorbidity burden. Overall, delirious patients had a significantly higher 6-month mortality rate than patients without delir…