Dépistage du syndrome confusionnel en soins palliatifs : étude prospective à l'aide de l'échelle Nu-Desc (Nursing Delirium Screening Scale) au centre hospitalier universitaire de Grenoble

Delirium is a frequent complication in patients with advanced cancer. Its prevalence is important and its impact about quality of life and prognosis is major. It is the origin of much suffering for patients, family and staff. The principal objective of this study is to show the interest of a systematic screening scale of delirium by the nurses (Nursing Delirium Screening Scale [Nu-Desc]). It improves spotting of delirium in patients with metastatic cancer and palliative care. This scale was used during three months and a half close to patients admitted in the medical oncology unit of the Grenoble teaching hospital. Twenty-two patients about 73 were screened and confirmed, that is to say 30% thanks to the Nu-Desc, what is significantly higher that the number of 11 patients (about 89) with delirium diagnosed without the scale. During our study, about patients exempts of brain damage, the subtype of delirium most frequently found is hyperactive. Whereas the hypoactive delirium is most often found about patients with cerebral damage. Sum total, the Nu-Desc appears improve the screen of delirium about patients with cancer and in palliative care. But this result needs to be confirmed with a higher population.