Delirium as risk factor for dementia in older adults: an update

Objective  To perform an update review of the studies that evaluated delirium as a risk factor for developing dementia in older adults.

Methods  A review was performed using PubMed database, crossing the following descriptors: risk factors and (delirium or acute confusional state) and dementia. Only cohort studies published from January 2000 to May 2015 were considered.

Results  We selected eight studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All studies pointed to an increased risk of dementia or cognitive decline after the occurrence of delirium, despite the differences between the studies in relation to the cause of delirium.

Conclusions  Recent studies indicate a clear association between delirium and increased risk of dementia. Therefore, the psychiatrists and general practitioners need to pay attention to the evidence of cognitive decline after the occurrence of delirium in older adults.

Dementia; delirium; risk factors