Prevalence of delirium in an intermediate care unit

Background: Delirium or acute confusional state is defined as an acute dist urbance of consciousness and attention. Its prevalence among hospitalized p atients fluctuates between 25 and 60%. Aim: To assess the prevalence and fe atures of delirium in an intermediate care unit. Patients and methods: All patients admitted to intermediate care unit during a period of two months w ere assessed and followed. Delirium was assessed daily during the stay in t he unit, using the Inouye Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium was classif ied as hyperactive if the patient required pharmacological or physical rest raining methods. Results: Sixty four patients, 32 female, aged 19 to 90 yea rs old were assessed. Forty one percent had delirium. Of these, delirium st arted after admission in 46% and was hyperactive in 35% Cognitive disturban ces were ascertained by the health care team in 69% of patients with deliri um. Age over 70 years old and a history of dememtia were defined as predisp osing factors for delirium. Serum albumin was > 3.5 g/dl in 14 of 18 patien ts with and in 11 of 27 patients without delirium (p=0.04). The most freque nt risk factors were systemic infections, metabolic disturbances used measu res to deal with hyperactive patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of delir ium found in this study is similar to that reported elsewhere, except for t he high proprotion of patients whose delirium started after admission.