V. Camus et al., Factor analysis supports the evidence of existing hyperactive and hypoactive subtypes of delirium, INT J GER P, 15(4), 2000, pp. 313-316
Objective. The aim of this study was to examine whether delirium has specif
ic clinical subtypes.
Method One hundred and eighty-three elderly subjects meeting DSM-IIIR crite
ria for delirium were evaluated using a 19-item symptom check-list assessin
g different dimensions of delirium symptomatology. Exploratory factor analy
sis was conducted in order to examine which symptoms clustered.
Results. Factor analysis confirmed the existence of two different clusters
of symptoms: first, symptoms of hyperalert/hyperactive features (agitation,
hyper-reactivity, aggressiveness, hallucinations, delusions); and second,
symptoms of hypoalert/hypoactive features (decreased reactivity,motor and s
peech retardation, facial inexpressiveness).
Conclusion. This preliminary study seems to support the evidence of hypoact
ive and hyperactive subtypes of delirium, even though their aetiology and p
rognostic values need to be further examined. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley
& Sons, Ltd.