Medisan (May 2018)
Peculiarities of the acute confusional syndrome in the elderly
Abstract
The acute confusional syndrome is a frequent clinical feature of acute diseases or drug toxicity in elderly, with high morbidity and mortality. This originates due to functional disability and is characterized by an acute and fluctuating change in the mental state, with inattentiveness and altered conscience levels during less than 3 months, although it can be prolonged for longer time. It is considered a medical emergency of demonstrable and potentially reversible organic cause, with an essentially clinical diagnosis. In this investigation it is described how the acute confusion is manifested in elderly, which are the predisposing and triggering factors in its emergence and which treatment can be adequate if the clinical pattern and its causal factors are diagnosed in an appropriate way.
