Higuet S, Higuet A
Rev Med Brux. 2014 Mar-Apr;35(2):78-85.
Delirium in the elderly is common but unfortunately underdiagnosed. The consequences could be significant such as an increase of the mortality in the hospital, loss of autonomy and increased risk to be institutionalized. The presentation of the delirium could be hyperactive, hypoactive or mixed. The predisposing and precipating factors are well known. The physiopathology is not yet well defined but the inflammation and the neuromediators are involved. It is important to develop primary and secondary prevention, but also to propose a follow in memory clinics for all elderly people who having suffered from delirium during hospitalization because a confusional state could be the first step towards future dementia.
老年人谵妄很常见，但遗憾的是诊断不足。其后果可能很严重，比如住院死亡率增加、自主性丧失以及被送进养老院的风险增加。谵妄的表现可能是多动型、少动型或混合型。诱发因素和促发因素众所周知。其病理生理学尚未明确界定，但炎症和神经介质参与其中。开展一级和二级预防很重要，而且对于所有在住院期间患过谵妄的老年人，建议在记忆门诊进行随访，因为意识模糊状态可能是未来患痴呆症的第一步。
