Martinez et al developed a score for predicting delirium in a patient admitted to a medical ward in the hospital. This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastian, Spain.
Patient selection: >= 18 years of age, admitted to a medical ward
Parameters:
(1) age in years
(2) number of activities of daily living (ADL) with impairment
(3) drug risk score
drug risk score =
= (number of types of antidepressants) + (number of types of antidementia agents) + (number of types of anticonvulsants) + (2 * (number of types of antipsychotic drugs))
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
age in years |
<= 85 years |
0 |
|
> 85 years |
1 |
number of ADL impairments |
< 5 |
0 |
|
>= 5 |
1 |
drug score |
0 or 1 |
0 |
|
>= 2 |
1 |
total score =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 3
• The higher the score the greater the risk for delirium.
Total Score |
Delirium |
0 |
4% |
1 |
14-23% |
2 or 3 |
43-64% |
Specialty: Neurology