Outcomes associated with delirium in acutely hospitalized acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients

The study demonstrates that delirium in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is associated with mortality, the need for long-term care, and an increased length of hospitalization. Data were collected prospectiv ely on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients admitted to a teach ing hospital from January 1996 through December 1996. The data included dem ographic characteristics of the participants, medical diagnoses, CD4 cell c ount, Karnofsky functional assessment, mortality during admission, length o f stay, and discharge placement. Participants were evaluated throughout the ir hospital stay for evidence of delirium. The presence of delirium was det ermined using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. There were no significant differe nces between delirious and nondelirious patients with respect to demographi c characteristics or markers of medical morbidity. Patients with delirium w ere more likely to die during admission (chi-square [chi(2)] = 39.1, df = 1 . P < .0010), to stay longer in hospital (t = 3.50, df = 12.9, P < .0041), or to need long-term care if discharged alive (chi(2) = 12.8, df = 2, P < . 0021). Delirium is associated with adverse outcomes in hospitalized AIDS pa tients. More research is needed to characterize the nature of this associat ion. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.