Predictors of delayed identification of delirium in a general hospital liaison psychiatry service: A study from North India

Nitin Gupta; Parveen Sharma; David Meagher

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2009.12.006

Predictors of delayed identification of delirium in a general hospital liaison psychiatry service: A study from North India

Asian J Psychiatr. 2010 Mar;3(1):31-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2009.12.006. Epub 2010 Mar 5.

Authors

Nitin Gupta¹, Parveen Sharma, David Meagher

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160012, India.

PMID: 23051135
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2009.12.006

Abstract

Objective: To assess the socio-clinical profile, treatment and outcome of patients diagnosed with ICD-10 delirium in a multi-specialty, tertiary care hospital setting.

Method: Eighty consecutive referrals to the Department of Psychiatry were evaluated for ICD-10 delirium. Information was extracted retrospectively by chart review and documented in a semi-structured proforma for CL patients.

Results: Average time to referral was 5.3±9.1 (range=0-56) days. Prevalent delirium at admission, sleep-wake disturbance, and specialty of referral were significant predictors of delayed diagnosis.

Conclusions: Certain clinical variables that predict delayed identification of delirium in a hospital setting are targets for educational and clinical strategies designed to improve detection and management.