Overlap syndrome of dementia, depression and delirium in elderly patients: a report of 16 cases / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the overlap syndrome of dementia,depression and delirium coexistence in two or three of them (the 2D's or 3D's) in elderly patients,in order to raise awareness.Methods Clinical data of 16 patients aged ＞65 years diagnosed with the 2D's or 3D's admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2010 to 2014 were analyzed and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results Patients with the 2D's or 3D' s accounted for 10％ of the elderly demented patients and 3％ of the elderly depressive patients.16 patients [11 females and 5 males,median age 82 years and mean age (80±6) years] were enrolled,with 7 cases of dementia with depression,6 cases of delirium superimposed on dementia,2 cases of the 3D's,and 1 case of coexisting depression and incident delirium.The Charlson comorbidity index of the 16 patients was (3.0± 1.5).(4.0± 1.6) kinds of geriatric syndromes were found,and the most common were falls (62％),sleep disorders (56％),frailty (50％),polypharmacy (43 ％),and malnutrition (37％).Disability was identified in 14 (88％) patients on admission.Delirium was observed in 9 patients (56 ％),with 7 cases of hyperactive delirium and 2 cases of hypoactive delirium.Coexisting underlying dementia was identified after episodes of delirium in 6 cases.16 patients all received corresponding intervention during hospitalization period.During a mean follow-up period of (15±13) months,62 ％ of the patients had more impaired physical function (ADL score reduction≥ 1),and 43％ of the patients had more impaired cognitive function (MMSE score reduction≥3).Two patients were transferred to long-term care facilities and one patient died during follow-up.The readmission rate was 50％ within 1 year after discharge.Conclusions The domestic report of overlap syndrome of dementia,depression and delirium is rare.Patients with the coexistence of the 2D's or 3D's are more commonly combined with geriatric syndromes,which results in further cognitive and physical function impairment with a higher re-admission rate.We should pay attention to the follow-up in elderly patients with delirium for screening dementia.