Predictors of hospital readmission for patients diagnosed with delirium

p>

The community prevalence of delirium among the elderly has been estimated to be < 2%. Of hospitalized patients with delirium, the incidence can approach 90% in postoperative or ICU patients. Once delirium occurs, it is persistent, and as reported in the current study, hospitalized patients with delirium are at high risk for re-admission.

This was an observational, retrospective cohort study. South London hospitalization mental health records were the source of data.

Of 2814 patients (mean age = 78.9 years) hospitalized for delirium, 823 (29.3%) were re-admitted within 30 d. The odds ratio (OR) for re-admission were as follows: depressed mood, 1.34; moderate-to-severe physical health issues, 1.67; vascular disease, 1.29; diagnosis of delirium superimposed on dementia, 0.67; and alcohol/substance abuse, 0.54.