Delirium in Older Adults Without Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Andrew Melissa K, Freter Susan H, Rockwood Kenneth
Primary Institution: Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and outcome of delirium in older adults living outside acute care settings?
Conclusion
Delirium is uncommon among older Canadians without dementia and is associated with low 5-year survival rates similar to those with advanced dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- Delirium was diagnosed in 21 non-demented individuals across two assessments.
- Five-year survival for those with delirium was 18%, compared to 70% for the rest of the cohort.
- Delirium prevalence was found to be less than 0.5% in the studied population.
Takeaway
Delirium is rare in older people who don't have dementia, but if they do get it, they might not live as long as others.
Methodology
Secondary analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, comparing prevalence and 5-year survival of delirium in older adults without dementia.
Potential Biases
The study may underestimate delirium prevalence by excluding cases with superimposed dementia.
Limitations
The small number of delirium cases limits the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants were older Canadians (age ≥ 65), with a mean age of 86.8 years, and 52% were male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.7–36%
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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