Prevalence of precipitating factors for delirium in geriatric patients in a referral hospital

Bismarck Castañeda-Flores, Department of Geriatrics, Hospital General Regional No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Charo; Division of Graduate, School of Medical and Biological Sciences Dr. Ignacio Chávez, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia; Michoacan, Mexico
Miriam C. Vargas-Arévalo, Department of Geriatrics, Hospital General Regional No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Charo, Michoacan, Mexico
Lilian E. Pacheco-Magaña, Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance Unit, Hospital General Regional No. 1, IMSS, Charo, Michoacan, Mexico
Aleyda Ramírez-Martínez, Department of Geriatrics, Hospital General Regional No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Charo; Division of Graduate, School of Medical and Biological Sciences Dr. Ignacio Chávez, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia; Michoacan, Mexico

Background: Delirium is a multifactorial neuropsychiatric syndrome that leads to functional decline and increased morbidity and mortality. Identifying precipitating factors in our population is essential for prevention and intervention. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of precipitating factors for delirium in hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older. Material and methods: This is an observational, descriptive, and retrospective study. Medical records of patients aged 65 years and older hospitalized in 2024 who presented with delirium (n = 195) were reviewed. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, including percentages, measures of central tendency, and statistical correlation. Results: The most prevalent type of delirium was hypoactive (48.7%), associated with frailty (85.1%). The study population had a median age of 84 years, and most were women (64.6%). The most frequent precipitating factors were restricted movement (50.7%), visual impairment (33.3%), and urinary tract infections (32.8%). Conclusions: The precipitating factors of delirium vary depending on the population and its risk factors. Although they are the same as those described in the international literature, they do not occur with the same frequency in our population as in others; therefore, comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential for their identification and management.

Keywords: Delirium. Precipitating factors. Hospitalization. Older adults.