BACKGROUND: Delirium is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Half the cases remain misdiagnosed.OBJECTIVE: Assess the effectiveness of the Stanford Proxy Test for Delirium (S-PTD) in detecting delirium in an inpatient setting.METHODS: This is a comparison study. Daily assessment with S-PTD, by the patient's nurse, and a neuropsychiatric assessment by a psychiatrist. Assessments were blinded. Inclusion criteria included 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria included patient's or surrogate's unwillingness to participate, inability to consent if a surrogate was not available, and inability to communicate in English or Spanish. A total of 309 patients were approached: 27 declined participation, 4 were excluded, and 278 subjects were followed up throughout their hospital stay. In the end, 78 were excluded for lack of neuropsychiatric assessment, S-PTD, or both. One was excluded for lack of demographic data. The sensitivity and specificity of the S-PTD in detecting delirium when compared with a neuropsychiatric assessment.RESULTS: Participants were on average 60.8 years old and 54.3% were male. Patients who developed delirium were, on average, older (15.12 y, confidence interval: 8.94-21.32). A total of 199 patients were analyzed; 43 patients (21.6%) met criteria for delirium. S-PTD detected 67 days with delirium (16.5%) of 405 hospital days, while neuropsychiatric evaluation identified 83 (20.5%). S-PTD had a sensitivity of 80.72% and a specificity of 90.37%.CONCLUSION: S-PTD is an effective, comprehensive, and simple screening tool for delirium, which is robust despite fluctuating symptoms and lack of cooperation. The use of S-PTD may enhance early diagnosis of delirium.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.psym.2019.11.009
View details for PubMedID 31926650
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. TBI is a major cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Post-traumatic amnesia, or the interval from injury until the patient is oriented and able to form and later recall new memories, is an important index of TBI severity and functional outcome. This article will discuss the updates in the epidemiology, definition and classification, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of common acute neuropsychiatric sequelae of traumatic brain injury that the critical care specialist may encounter.
View details for PubMedID 28601130
Delirium is the most often encountered psychiatric diagnosis in the general hospital, with an incidence of up to 82% in the intensive care unit setting and with significant detrimental effects on patients' morbidity and mortality. Antipsychotics are often considered the first-line pharmacological treatment of delirium, but their use may be limited by lack of efficacy, existing contraindications (e.g., prolonged QTc intervals), or resulting side effects (e.g., akathisia). Valproic acid (VPA) is a potential alternative or adjunct treatment. It has multiple mechanisms of action, including effects on neurotransmitter modulation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and transcription, all of which are implicated in the pathophysiology of delirium. Yet, data on the use of this agent in delirium are limited.In this article, we discuss postulated mechanisms of VPA action that provide a theoretical basis for its use in the treatment of hyperactive and mixed type delirium, based on the known and theorized pathophysiology of delirium. We also discuss potential side effects and considerations with use of VPA.VPA has multiple modulatory effects on neurotransmitter systems, inflammation, oxidative stress, and transcriptional changes implicated in pathophysiology of delirium. When carefully chosen, VPA can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for the management of hyperactive and mixed type delirium. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish tolerability and efficacy of VPA for treatment of delirium.
View details for Web of Science ID 000366315400002
View details for PubMedID 26674479
Patients with delirium may fail to respond to standard therapies. Sixteen patients with management-refractory hyperactive delirium responded to adjunctive valproic acid, with complete resolution of hyperactive delirium in 13 cases. A rationale for using valproic acid in such circumstances is discussed.
View details for DOI 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.14080190
View details for PubMedID 25803136
View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07496.x
View details for Web of Science ID 000262635500023
View details for PubMedID 19036097
View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2636683
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Racism and discrimination are direct affronts to Stanford Medicine?s values. Read our leaders? pledge on racial equity.
A leader in the biomedical revolution, Stanford Medicine has a long tradition of leadership in pioneering research, creative teaching protocols and effective clinical therapies.
An at-home COVID-19 test, designed by Stanford researchers to be easy to use and provide results within 30 minutes, will be the focus of a study funded by the Stanford Medicine Catalyst Program.
Our scientists have launched dozens of research projects as part of the global response to COVID-19. Some aim to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease; others aim to understand how it spreads and how people?s immune systems respond to it.
A subtype of a popular antibiotic could pose a smaller risk of hearing loss yet still be powerful at fighting off bacterial infections.
Lab scientists at Stanford Medicine are processing thousands of samples a day, fighting the coronavirus pandemic behind the scenes.
A look at Stanford Medicine?s response to the new coronavirus, as well as outside perspectives on the pandemic.
Latest information on COVID-19
Stanford Medicine is closely monitoring the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A new page is dedicated to the latest information and developments about COVID-19.
Racism and discrimination are direct affronts to Stanford Medicine?s values. Read our leaders? pledge on racial equity.
A leader in the biomedical revolution, Stanford Medicine has a long tradition of leadership in pioneering research, creative teaching protocols and effective clinical therapies.
An at-home COVID-19 test, designed by Stanford researchers to be easy to use and provide results within 30 minutes, will be the focus of a study funded by the Stanford Medicine Catalyst Program.
Our scientists have launched dozens of research projects as part of the global response to COVID-19. Some aim to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease; others aim to understand how it spreads and how people?s immune systems respond to it.
A subtype of a popular antibiotic could pose a smaller risk of hearing loss yet still be powerful at fighting off bacterial infections.
Lab scientists at Stanford Medicine are processing thousands of samples a day, fighting the coronavirus pandemic behind the scenes.
A look at Stanford Medicine?s response to the new coronavirus, as well as outside perspectives on the pandemic.
