Acute Medicine | Medicine of the elderly | Investigation and management of UTI causing delirium

Investigation and Management of UTI Causing Delirium
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the investigation and management of delirium precipitated by urinary tract infection (UTI), including risk factors and specialist clinical assessment.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology of delirium
• Recognise the risk factors for the development of delirium
• Outline the principles of management

Delirium (or acute confusion state) is a common clinical syndrome which has an acute onset and a fluctuating course. It is characterised by disturbed consciousness and cognitive function or perception. It usually develops over 1 or 2 days.

In the general medical wards, the prevalence of delirium is about 20-30%, while 10-50% of post surgical patients develop delirium. The prevalence in long-term care is under 20% [1].