Delirium in Hospitalized Elderly Patients of Thailand; Is the Figure Underrecognized?
Panita Limpawattana MD*, Sumitr Sutra MD**, Yupa Thavornpitak MSc***, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth PhD****, Jarin Chindaprasirt MD*****, Pisaln Mairieng MD******
Affiliation : * Division of Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Division of Ambulatory Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ***** Division of Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ****** Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Delirium is a frequent complication associated with hospitalization of older adults leading to serious complications
but it is potentially preventable. The overall data regarding admission rates and its impact in Thai geriatrics are limited.
Objective : To identify admission, mortality rates of older persons with delirium and its consequences.
Material and Method: Information on illness of inpatients and casualties came from hospitals nationwide and from hospital
withdrawals from the three health insurance schemes in fiscal 2010. The data included 96% of the population. The data were
analyzed by age groups in delirious patients.
Results : Delirium occurred in 11,410 of all admissions; contributing admission and mortality rates of 155.4 and 6.4/100,000
older persons. These figures increased with age. The average length of stay in persons with and without delirium were 22.3
and 5.4 days and the average hospital charges were 53,174 and 18,230.8 Baht, respectively.
Conclusion : The admission rate of patients with delirium was lower than prior reports; underdetection and underreport
should be considered. Admission and mortality rates rose with age. There was an increase in length of stay and hospital
charges.
Keywords : Delirium, Confusion, Confusional state, Clinical epidemiology, Elderly
