Delirium : um estudo comparativo entre adultos jovens, adultos e idosos

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2002

RESUMO

This is a descriptive and comparative study of Delirium , a cerebral organic syndrome without specific etiology, characterized by the presence of simultaneous disorders of consciousness, attention, perception , thought, memory, psychomotor manifestations , emotions and of the sleeping-vigil rhythm. The duration of the disease manifestation varies, as well as its gravity , which goes from weak to very serious forms. The general objective of the study is to evaluate patients, with Delirium, syndrome, who belong to three different age groups: young-adults (from 18 to 44 years old); adults (from 45 to 64 years old) and old age ones (over 65 years old). These groups will be described and compared in terms of the clinical evolution of the syndrome. The research was carried out in the sickrooms and in the first-aid clinic for adults of the Hospital of Clinics of the State University of Campinas, UNICAMP-HC. All the patients were evaluated through a protocol specially planned for the research. This protocol contains the following information about the patient: attendance place, sociodemographic data, previous, present-day and posterior clinical data, use of previous and present-day medication, habits and routine of the patient, result of the physical, neurological, lab and image exams. Concerning scales, the following were used: Mini-Mental Scale, Coma Scale of Glasgow, Delirium Rating Scale – D.R.S., Confusion Assessment Method – C.AM. and Delirium Evaluation Scale in the sub-active (hipo-active), mixed and super-active (hiper-active) dimensions. The research data were submitted to an statistical univaried analysis, to a logistic regression analysis and to a multiple correspondent analysis as well. The results of the research showed the predominance of men (76%), most of them inactive, that is, out of regular work activity (71%), white-skinned (46%). The majority of the group had a low degree of education, since 67% of them had not finished the basic level (8 years) of school. The average age of the patients was 53,9. The hypothesis that the Delirium manifestations in the old age group differs from the ones showed by young-adults and adults was confirmed in the following terms: clinical manifestation, previous and present-day clinical diagnoses, use of previous and present-day medications, basis etiology, habitual use of psychoactive substances, evolution and prognosis. The sub-kind of the sub-active (hipo-active) Delirium presented the worst clinical evolution, while the super-active (hiper-active) Delirium was related to the best clinical evolution and was associated to alcohol abstinence. It was also verified through this study that advanced age, previous affected cognitive abilit , previous use of drugs and medications, previous existence of clinical disease are all agents that predispose a person to the Delirium syndrome.

ASSUNTO(S)

neuropsiquiatria doenças mentais idosos delirium tremens

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