Delirium in Palliative Medicine: A Review

Delirium is a devastating complication of general medical and surgical populations but of particular importance in palliative medicine. It is a clinical syndrome that is often not recognized and, therefore, not treated appropriately. The presence of delirium is a predictor of increased morbidity and mortality, longer hospitalization, and more likely discharge to a nursing facility. This article reviews the pathophysiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of delirium in the palliative medicine population. J Pain Symptom Manage 2012;44:583-594. (C) 2012 U. S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.