"It is unclear whether delirium itself causes deterioration in brain functionality that ultimately can result in premature death, or if delirium is a symptom indicating a mind and body already in decline," said author Martin Forsberg, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Geriatrics & Gerontology at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, who conducted the review.
Delirium is a syndrome of altered mental status characterized by disorganized thinking, deficits in attention and a fluctuating course. The similarity of its symptoms to those of dementia cause delirium to often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in elderly patients with dementia.
The most acute symptoms typically last one week; however, it can take weeks or months for patients to get back to baseline. Persisting delirium can accelerate dementia, making it difficult to accurately determine whether the patient still has delirium or a worsened baseline of dementia.
Also important is that, while delirium often has medical causes, it can persist even after the initial medical condition has been resolved.