[Delirium in nursing homes. Prevalence and risk factors]

Abstract

Objectives: To study the prevalence of delirium in the residential environment and to analyse the associated clinical, functional and mental factors.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional epidemic study was conducted on a population of elderly persons institutionalised in 2011 in 6 nursing homes in Asturias. Socio-demographic, clinical, functional (Barthel Index [BI]) and mental (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]) variables were collected. Delirium was defined by the Confusion Assessment Method.

Results: A total of 505 elderly were included in the study (age 83.30 ± 7.33 years, with 67.70% women), and scores on the MMSE of 17.19 ± 10.35 and a BI score of 55.11 ± 35.82. The prevalence of delirium was 11.70%. On examining the risk of delirium among the studied variables, there was statistical significance when considering: BI, MMSE, dementia, pressure ulcers, or urinary catheter, and the prescribing of clomethiazole, ACTH-I or trazodone. In the analysis of the variables in the logistic regression with BI, diagnosis of dementia, the prescribing of clomethiazole or trazodone, in the equation, there was a statistical significance associated with delirium.

Conclusions: The prevalence of delirium in a residential environment in our study population was 11.7%. The results show that BI, diagnosis of dementia, and prescribing of clomethiazole or trazodone were associated with risk of delirium in institutionalised patients.

Keywords: Cognitive assessment; Delirium; Demencia; Dementia; Nursing homes; Residencia de ancianos; Valoración cognitiva.