Cole used two definitions for subsyndromal delirium in older adults. Several alternative definitions are given in the literature. The authors are from St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal, McGill University, Laval University, Jewish General Hospital, Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal and Universite de Montreal in Canada.
Criteria for subsyndromal delirium (SSD):
(1) The patient does not meet diagnostic criteria for delirium.
(2) The patient does not progress to delirium (presence of delirium indicates delirium).
(3) The patient has one or more core symptoms for delirium from the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) criteria.
Core CAM criteria:
(1) fluctuation
(2) inattention
(3) disorganized thinking
(4) altered level of consciousness
A second definition (SSD2) required 2 or more CAM core symptoms for the diagnosis.
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