Symptomatic and Clinical Profiles Across Motoric Subtypes in Delirium

Paik, Soo Hyun; Min, Seongho; Ahn, Joung Sook; Park, Ki Chang; Kim, Min Hyuk

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To investigate clinical and symptomatic differences among motoric subtypes of delirium.
METHODS
A total of 256 patients referred to psychiatric consultation services for delirium due to general medical condition were assessed retrospectively. Motoric subtypes were determined according to Lipowski's criteria for hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed subtypes. All patients were evaluated according to Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98(DRS-98-R) by trained psychiatrists to obtain symptomatic profiles of delirium.
RESULTS
Hyperactive subtype were 50.8%(n=130), mixed 46.1%(n=118) and hypoactive 3.1%(n=8). Hyperactive patients were younger than mixed subtype(69.62±13.976 vs. 73.97±11.569, p=0.022) and received antipsychotics to manage symptoms of delirium more frequently(83.8% vs. 57.6%, p<0.001). Hyperactive patients had higher DRS-R-98 scores on both noncognitive(7.14±3.543 for hyperactive, 5.62±3.279 for mixed subtype) and cognitive subscales(10.00±3.574 for hyperactive, 6.38±2.875 for hypoactive, 7.43±3.771 for mixed subtype, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that clinical and symptomatic profiles were different across motoric subtypes in delirium. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach should be made differently according to motoric subtypes of delirium and special attention is needed not to underestimate or delay treatment in specific motoric subtype of delirium.