Frequency of delirium in a neurological emergency room

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2006 Winter;18(1):108-12. doi: 10.1176/jnp.18.1.108.

Abstract

The authors present a cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate the presence of delirium in patients with neurological emergencies. Two hundred and two patients were included in the study: 14.9% of subjects had delirium; 62.4% had no arousal disturbances; and 22.7% presented a coma or stupor state. Findings revealed that the presence of a cerebral infection, the presence of multiple etiologies, and the location of lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes were all associated with delirium. Results substantiate that delirium is a frequent occurrence in neurological patients and that the presence of multiple etiologies must be investigated in each patient.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arousal / physiology
  • Brain Diseases / complications
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Brain Diseases / physiopathology
  • Coma / epidemiology
  • Coma / etiology
  • Coma / physiopathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Delirium / epidemiology*
  • Delirium / etiology
  • Delirium / physiopathology
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology