Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Articles by Leonard, M. Articles by Meagher, D. PubMed Citation Articles by Leonard, M. Articles by Meagher, D. Depression Delirium

Symptoms of Depression and Delirium Assessed Serially in Palliative-Care Inpatients

Received May 18, 2007; revised August 19, 2007; accepted August 27, 2007. From the Department of Adult Psychiatry, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick; Milford Care Palliative Care Service, Castletroy, Limerick; University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, Ireland; Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh and West Lothian Palliative Care Service, Scotland; Highland Hospice, Inverness, Scotland; Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, Scotland; and the University of Michigan, Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, MI. Send correspondence to David Meagher, M.D., Department of Adult Psychiatry, Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. e-mail: david.meagher{at}ul.ie
© 2009 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

BACKGROUND: Delirium occurs in approximately 1 in 5 general hospital admissions and up to 85% of patients with terminal illness, but can be difficult to differentiation from other disorders, such as depression. OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed and compared mood states as they relate to onset of delirium. METHOD: Symptoms of depression and delirium were assessed in 100 consecutive palliative-care admissions immediately after admission and 1 week later. RESULTS: Overall, 51% experienced either major depression or delirium. Most patients with syndromal delirium also met criteria for major depressive illness, and 50% of those with depression had delirium or subsyndromal delirium (SSD). Delirium symptoms were less common in patients with major depression than depressive symptoms in patients with delirium or SSD. DISCUSSION: Delirium should be considered in patients with altered mood states, and screening for depression should initially rule out delirium. Sustained alterations in mood may be more frequent in delirium than previously recognized.

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2009 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us