[Confusional states in geriatrics].

Illustrated by clinical reports, this study attempts to demonstrate the practical and didactic interest of various somatopsychological correlations in geriatrics. The confusional state in the elderly has no specific etiopathogenesis. It is only the expression, often disconcerting, of a method of cerebral suffering and the clinician should be aware of its various presentations. The precipitating factors are not only of organic or iatrogenic origin, but often psychological. Any change is considered by the elderly patient as dangerous and worrying. Our perfectly justified fear of inaction and passivity together with a desire for rapid efficacy, should not lead us to forget that in geriatrics more than in any other branch of medicine, a prudent attitude in therapeutics is most likely to be successful.