Irene Hamrick1, Frank Meyer. 1. Geriatric Services, Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Older adults undergo operations as our population ages. Increasing life expectancy and disease burden, along with decreased functional status and organ reserve, place the elderly surgical patient at higher general risk in the perioperative state. In particular, these patients have more diseases including dementia and medications that put them specifically at higher risk of delirium. PURPOSE: This overview describes the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of delirium and its interface with depression and dementia, and explains aging changes based on the picture of perioperative management in surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Today, surgeons must be equipped to attend the geriatric patient's needs. Early recognition of comorbidities such as dementia and delirium as well as speedy and competent therapeutic treatment can limit consequences and impact.
BACKGROUND: Older adults undergo operations as our population ages. Increasing life expectancy and disease burden, along with decreased functional status and organ reserve, place the elderly surgical patient at higher general risk in the perioperative state. In particular, these patients have more diseases including dementia and medications that put them specifically at higher risk of delirium. PURPOSE: This overview describes the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of delirium and its interface with depression and dementia, and explains aging changes based on the picture of perioperative management in surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Today, surgeons must be equipped to attend the geriatric patient's needs. Early recognition of comorbidities such as dementia and delirium as well as speedy and competent therapeutic treatment can limit consequences and impact.
Authors: Benjamin Liptzin; Agnes Laki; Jane L Garb; Richard Fingeroth; Robert Krushell Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 4.105
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