Phenomenology and Outcome of Delirium in Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric condition involving disturbances in consciousness, orientation, memory, cognition, perception, and behavior, typically due to structural or physiological brain changes.It is common among patients in medical and surgical wards and is associated with high mortality and healthcare costs.The term "delirium" stems from Latin-de ("away") and lira ("track")-implying deviation from normal mental functioning.The DSM-5 defines it as a disturbance in attention and awareness with acute onset and daily fluctuations.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to investigate the clinical features and outcomes of delirium among psychiatric referrals for inpatients at G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi.The study included all consecutive inpatients referred to psychiatry who were diagnosed with delirium according to ICD-10 criteria during the designated period.Results: Among the 40 patients included in the study, the hypoactive subtype accounted for the highest number of deaths (15 cases), followed by the mixed subtype (7 cases) and the hyperactive subtype (3 cases).The hyperactive subtype had the highest number of discharges (9), whereas only 4 hypoactive and 2 mixed subtype patients were discharged.Of those discharged, 5 fully recovered from delirium, while 10 patients exhibited cognitive decline and experienced longer hospital stays. Conclusion:The hypoactive subtype was the most frequent, followed by hyperactive and mixed types.The mean total score on the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 was 22.66, with a severity score of 17.59.Disorientation and inattention were the most consistent features.Systematic assessment of these symptoms may support early recognition and improved management of delirium.