Confusion as the Presenting Symptom of COVID-19 in Elderly Patients

A case series of four patients who did not have early symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath

Elderly individuals with chronic medical conditions are at particular risk for COVID-19, intensive care unit admission, and death. The authors of this single-site case series describe four elderly patients (mean age, 83; 3 women) diagnosed with COVID-19 whose initial symptom was altered mental status (AMS) and not fever, cough, or respiratory distress.

All patients had chronic medical conditions and dementia and were living in a communal setting. They were each transferred to an emergency department following onset of AMS, where they tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Chest x-rays were positive for pneumonia in all four patients. At the time that the authors wrote, two patients were admitted to hospice, and the other two remained dependent on o…

Reviewing Author

Matthew E. Peters, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory Boardemvitals, Inc.

EquityRose: Smarter Mental Health

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Defense, National Institute on Aging

Matthew E. Peters, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory Boardemvitals, Inc.

EquityRose: Smarter Mental Health

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Defense, National Institute on Aging

Confusion as the Presenting Symptom of COVID-19 in Elderly Patients

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Reviewing Author