Abstract

Delirium is a complex and serious medical disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. While it is potentially reversible, it requires prompt medical attention due to its adverse influence on clinical prognosis. Therefore, identification of delirium is essential in hospitalized patients, together with its manifestations, methods of detection, prevention, and treatment. This article reviews this transient cognitive disorder on the basis of diagnostic and therapeutic issues.

Keywords : Acute disease; cognition disorders/diagnosis; delirium/ diagnosis/etiology/physiopathology; diagnosis, differential; psychomotor performance