[Confusional syndrome in the elderly]

[Acute orthogeriatric care (II). Clinical aspects]

The present article reviews the clinical principles of acute orthogeriatric care. The application of geriatric medicine to patients with hip fracture is explained. The principal stages of geriatric intervention in this process are mentioned, as are the interventions to be carried out by the geriatric team. Subsequently, we discuss the management of several frequent problems in these patients, such as high surgical risk, pain management, anaemia, delirium, malnutrition, and discharge planning. Lastly, the characteristics of several kinds of patients with special characteristics are mentioned, such as those diagnosed with dementia, nursing home residents or the oldest-old. Areas of improvement in the acute phase are also reviewed, such as mortality reduction, functional outcome improvement and the need for more efficient resource use in patients in the acute phase of hip fracture.

Síndrome confusional agudo en pacientes ancianos ingresados por patología médica

INTRODUCTION

Delirium or acute confusional syndrome (ACS) is a frequent problem during hospitalization of elderly patients. We study the appearance of delirium and its characteristics in patients admitted to an internal medicine service.

METHODS

Prospective study of 148 patients over 64 years admitted due to medical condition (non-surgical) in the internal medicine service of the University Hospital of Bellvitge. Functionality was quantified with the Barthel index (BI) and comorbidity with the Charlson index (CI). The Confusional Assessment Method was used for the diagnosis of the ACS.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven (77) (52%) of the 148 patients were women, with a mean age of 78.5 years. The CI was 2.2. Mean of previous BI was 81.7. Mortality during admission was 8% (12 patients). A total of 42.5% of the patients (63) had ACS (30% prevalent). It was hyperactive in 68%, hypoactive in 16% and mixed in 16%. In 38% of the patients, the ACS had morning predominance and 62% it appeared after the evening. Advanced age was the only significant differences between patients with or without ACS (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the ACS percentage between patients who survived or who died (p = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency of appearance of the confusional picture is high in patients admitted to acute hospitals, it being more frequent in the elderly. Measures to prevent the confusional picture in elderly patients who are hospitalized should be increased.

Factores favorecedores de la aparición de cuadro confusional agudo en pacientes mayores de 84 años con fractura de fémur

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to analyze those factors predisposing to delirium in patients older than 84 years who were admitted because of hip fracture. We also compared the prevalence of delirium in this population with a younger group.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

One hundred and thirty patients (mean age 91.8 years) and 50 controls aged 65 to 84 years were included.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients (33%) developed delirium. A poor previous functional capacity was the best marker identifying those at risk for developing delirium. Although the prevalence of delirium was higher in those older than 84 years, statistically significant differences were not reached.

CONCLUSIONS

Disability prior to admission is the main risk factor predisposing to delirium during hospitalization in patients older than 84 years who are admitted because of hip fracture.

[Acute confusional syndrome associated with obstructive sleep apnea aggravated by acidosis secondary to oral acetazolamide treatment]

Acute confusional syndrome, or delirium, is a transitory mental state characterized by the fluctuating alteration of awareness and attention levels. We present the case of a patient with acute confusional syndrome associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) aggravated by metabolic acidosis induced by oral acetazolamide treatment.A 70-year-old man with no history of neurological disease was referred with a clinical picture consistent with acute confusional syndrome presenting between midnight and dawn. During the admission examination infectious, toxic, and neurologic causes, or those related to metabolic or heart disease were ruled out. Arterial blood gases measured during one of the nighttime episodes of acute confusional syndrome showed mild hypoxia and hypercapnia with mixed acidosis. Signs and symptoms suggestive of OSAS had been developing over the months prior to admission, with snoring, sleep apnea, and moderate daytime drowsiness. Polysomnography demonstrated severe OSAS with an apnea-hypopnea index of 38. Mean arterial oxygen saturation was 83%; time oxygen saturation remained below 90% was 44%. The attending physician ordered the withdrawal of oral acetazolamide, which was considered the cause of the metabolic component of acidosis. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure was initiated at 9 cm H2O, after a titration polysomnographic study. The patient continued to improve.OSAS, for which very effective treatment is available, should be included among diseases that may trigger acute confusional syndrome.