Delirium: an interdisciplinary challenge

Fruehwald T, Weissenberger-Leduc M, Jagsch C, Singler K, Gurlit S, Hofmann W, Boehmdorfer B, Iglseder B (2014)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie Springer Verlag (Germany)

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 47

Pages Range: 425-38; quiz 439-40

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1007/s00391-014-0613-1

Abstract

Delirium, the acute deterioration of cognitive function and attention, is the most frequent mental disorder in elderly. Its correct diagnosis and adequate management are of crucial importance for the patient's health and functional outcome. First of all, one has to be aware of the possibilities of preventing this complex, potentially life-threatening problem, which means recognizing the patient at risk, avoiding environmental stress and causal factors (i.e., anticholinergic medication) in cognitively impaired patients, and timely reaction to prodromal symptoms. Causal therapy (i.e., treatment of the causal condition and/or eliminating the precipitating situation) is imperative. It must be accompanied by nursing and environmental measures and, if necessary, by antipsychotic and/or sedating symptomatic treatment.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katrin Singler Medizinische Fakultät

Involved external institutions

Krankenhaus Hietzing mit Neurologischem Zentrum Rosenhügel AT Austria (AT) Forum Palliative Praxis Geriatrie (FPPG) AT Austria (AT) Landesnervenklinik Sigmund Freud AT Austria (AT) St. Franziskus-Hospital Münster DE Germany (DE) Friedrich-Ebert-Krankenhaus Neumünster DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Fruehwald, T., Weissenberger-Leduc, M., Jagsch, C., Singler, K., Gurlit, S., Hofmann, W.,... Iglseder, B. (2014). Delirium: an interdisciplinary challenge. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 47(5), 425-38; quiz 439-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-014-0613-1

MLA:

Fruehwald, T., et al. "Delirium: an interdisciplinary challenge." Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie 47.5 (2014): 425-38; quiz 439-40.

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