Factors that predispose to delirium:
(1) older age (> 70 years of age)
(2) male gender
(3) comorbid conditions (see below)
(4) functional dependence
(5) hip fracture
(6) stroke
(7) dehydration
(8) metabolic disorder
Comorbid conditions that may predispose to delirium:
(1) visual impairment
(2) dementia, especially severe dementia
(3) depression
(4) immobility
(5) alcoholism
(6) severe physical illness
Precipitating factors:
(1) drugs (narcotics, anticholinergic agents, others)
(2) surgery (orthopedic, cardiac, non-cardiac)
(3) severe acute illness
(4) ICU admission
(5) infection (urinary tract, other)
(6) hyponatremia
(7) hypoxemia
(8) anemia
(9) pain
(10) shock
(11) physical restraint
(12) high number of hospital procedures (usually associated with more severe illness)
(13) iatrogenic event
(14) prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass
(15) use of a urinary bladder catheter
Others not listed:
(1) sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality
