J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2020 Oct;26(3):251-258.

Factors Affecting the Onset of Hyperactive Delirium in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in Hospice Care

• Kim H
• Kim K
• Jang S
• Lee SW

Abstract

Objectives
：Hyperactive delirium is a state of acute mental confusion including aggressive and impulsive behavior and it is burdensome for the family and caregivers of terminal cancer patients. Therefore, predicting the symptoms of hyperactive delirium can provide benefits to care terminal cancer patients. In this study, several risk factors were evaluated during hospitalization for predicting delirious symptom in terminal cancer patients.
Methods
：Patients who died of cancer in a palliative care unit from January 2011 to September 2012 were investigated by retrospective chart review. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to identify the factors associated with hyperactive delirium. Univariate and multivariate analysis by logistic regression were applied. Additional survival analysis was conducted to measure the onset of delirium symptoms after pneumonia.
Results
：During hospitalization, 49 of 201 patients showed the symptoms of hyperactive delirium (24.4%). Developing a delirious symptom was associated with male (OR=3.36, p=0.002), bone metastasis (OR=3.70, p=0.002), pneumonia during hospitalization (OR=3.17, p=0.02) and depressive mood (OR=2.53, p80.011). In additional survival analysis, half of patients developed symptoms of delirium within 3 days after pneumonia.
Conclusion
：Our results suggest that male, bone metastasis, depressive mood, and pneumonia are risk factors that can affect hyperactive delirium in terminally ill cancer patients. In addition, many patients with pneumonia abruptly developed the symptoms of hyperactive delirium within 3 days. Our finding may provide clues for predicting hyperactive delirium, and it can be helpful to manage delirium symptoms.

Keyword

Pneumonia; Delirium; Palliative care