Delirium in Elderly: Is Age the Sole Factor in Determining Prognosis?

Background: The importance of diagnosing delirium lies in the fact that it is potentially reversible and preventable. Delineating the clinical profile of delirium, assessing the outcome as well as observing any difference in prognosis based on age and gender could be beneficial in early intervention, thereby reducing the mortality of this clinical entity. Aims and Objectives: To study the clinical profile and outcome of elderly patients admitted with delirium and to study the relationship of age and sex with the prognosis of delirium. Results: During the study period, 65 patients were diagnosed as confirmed cases of delirium according to the Confusion Assessment Method. The majority were in the age group between 65 and 69 years. The mortality rate was 40%. There was no difference in mortality based on age. The majority was males, and the mortality also was higher for males. Patients who presented with only altered sensorium had higher mortality. 29% of people had a single cause for delirium while the remaining 71% had two or more causes. In the former group, the mortality rate was 47.4% and 37% in the latter group. Conclusions: The outcome of delirium is grave. More than one cause for delirium need not necessarily cause a worse outcome. The presence of major risk factors determines the worse outcome. Age alone is not a determining factor in the outcome of delirium. There is no statistically significant difference in the outcome of patients with delirium based on their sex. The most common in-hospital outcome of delirium is a complete recovery.