Delirium

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome and can occur in various clinical settings. It has a multi-factorial aetiology. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Tools and strategies to screen and assess the severity of delirium can be used for an early intervention. Proactive screening for delirium has the potential to allow more optimal management, and thereby reduce morbidity and mortality significantly. Appropriate drug therapy may form part of multi-component interventions in the prevention and treatment of delirium. Further research is warranted in the systematic identification of high-risk patients undergoing major procedures as well as in the prophylactic or pre-emptive use of appropriate drugs and dosages.