Division of Geriatrics, Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. terhi.rahkonen@uku.fi
The oldest old are prone to develop delirium. Studies into risk factors for delirium have been carried out predominantly in younger age groups. The aim of this population-based follow-up study was to investigate the risk factors for delirium requiring medical attention and subsequent prognosis in the non-demented general population aged > or = 85 years.
The study included the non-demented subjects in the population-based Vantaa 85+ study. After the 3-year observation period, 199 subjects (91% of those surviving) were re-examined and their medical records were evaluated for episodes of delirium. The subjects were followed up with respect to mortality for another 2 years.
During the 3-year observational period, 20 subjects (10%) had been diagnosed as having had an episode of delirium. A Mini-Mental State Examination score of or = 85 years. The study also highlights the significant association between delirium and a new dementia diagnosis in this age group.