Elderly Patients Affected by Delirium

74 Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health (a) how serious is the issue of elderly patients affected by delirium in Singapore; (b) what is the annual number of such patients as broken down by the severity and duration of their condition; (c) what are the treatment options available; and (c) whether the progression of delirium can be slowed down or treated completely.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Delirium refers to an acute and sudden change in brain function that causes a person to appear confused or disoriented or to have difficulties maintaining focus and thinking clearly, typically with a fluctuating time-limited course. This is unlike dementia where the onset is generally slow, chronic and progresses over years.

Delirium can be the result of many different causes, including medical conditions, infection, recent surgery and certain medications. The Ministry of Health does not track the number of patients with delirium. Studies show that delirium occurs in about 10% to 30% of elderly patients admitted to hospital for acute medical problems.

The key measures to manage delirium are to treat the underlying medical illness that may be causing it and to address factors known to aggravate delirium, such as pain, dehydration and certain medications.

Patients with delirium generally improve and recover when the underlying cause of delirium has been treated.