The many faces of confusion: Timing and collateral history often hold the key to diagnosis

The confused patient sitting across from you presents a number of diagnostic challenges. The range of explanations for confusion is daunting, to say the least. It could be a symptom of delirium, depression, dementia, or sensory deprivation, and each of these conditions has numerous causes that could...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Postgraduate medicine 2000-11, Vol.108 (6), p.60-72
Main Author: Bostwick, John Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Confusion - diagnosis
Confusion - etiology
Delirium - complications
Delirium - etiology
Dementia - complications
Depressive Disorder - complications
Humans
Male
Sensory Deprivation
Urinary Tract Infections - complications
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The confused patient sitting across from you presents a number of diagnostic challenges. The range of explanations for confusion is daunting, to say the least. It could be a symptom of delirium, depression, dementia, or sensory deprivation, and each of these conditions has numerous causes that could require sub' stantial investigation. Dr Bostwick uses four scenarios involving a single patient, Mr S, to highlight the roles of physical and laboratory examination, collateral history, and clarification of time course in making sense of the syndrome of confusion.
ISSN:0032-5481
1941-9260
DOI:10.3810/pgm.2000.11.1288