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Delirium
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Delirium

Contributors: Andrea Wasilewski MD, Richard L. Barbano MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Delirium (also known as encephalopathy) is an acute confusional state that presents as fluctuations in level of alertness, inattention, or altered level of consciousness and disorganized thinking. Delirium develops subacutely over hours to days and can persist for days to weeks. Patients with underlying cognitive deficits, older individuals, and those with functional disabilities are at higher risk for developing delirium given decreased cognitive reserve.

Etiologies of delirium are broad and include systemic toxic, metabolic, nutritional, infectious, or pharmacologic causes as well as acute brain disorders (eg, stroke, seizures). Delirium is classically thought to be transient, although not all patients return to their baseline. Delirium can be hyperactive, with psychomotor agitation and emotional disturbances, or hypoactive.

See Drug Reaction Data table for a list of potential pharmacologic causes. Related topic: Drug-induced psychosis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
R41.0 – Disorientation, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
2776000 – Delirium

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Reviewed:05/22/2018
Last Updated:04/03/2023
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Delirium
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Delirium : Altered mental state, Hallucination
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.