A thorough analysis of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of delirium in hospitalized patients

Disturbances in attention, awareness, and cognition are hallmarks of delirium, an acute, fluctuating neuropsychiatric syndrome. With prevalence rates ranging from 70 to 87% in critical care settings, it is a serious public health concern, especially among hospitalized older adults and critically ill patients. The pathophysiology of delirium, which involves intricate interactions between neurotransmitter dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and impaired cerebral oxidative metabolism, is examined in this review.Patients are predisposed to delirium by a number of risk factors, such as advanced age, pre-existing cognitive impairment, and sensory deficits; common precipitants include medications, infections, and metabolic disorders. Since delirium is still often underdiagnosed, early detection using validated screening tools like the Confusion Assessment Method is crucial. The focus of management strategies is on prevention through non-pharmacological interventions, diagnosing and treating underlying causes, and using antipsychotic drugs sparingly and only in cases of extreme agitation.Given the substantial effects delirium has on patient outcomes—such as higher mortality, longer hospital stays, and long-term cognitive decline—systematic approaches to its management and prevention in healthcare settings are crucial.