Objective:

The objective of this study was to study correlation of acute confusion with age, various infections as co–morbidities and the presenting symptoms among indoor patients admitted in medical ward of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Dr S N Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Western India.

Subjects and Methods:

This study was conducted on 180 patients of age 60 years and above having acute confusional state to OPD or to Emergency Department at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Dr S N Medical College and Associated Hospitals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio–demographic, previous cognitive status,  past medical history including drugs used , previous intellectual function, functional status, previous episodes of acute or chronic confusion, sensory deficits, etc.  BP, pulse, temperature, SpO₂ assessment of the subjects were done. A thorough neurological examination of the subjects using Glasgow Coma Scale was carried out. Lab investigation was carried out for the entire population for pre selected 13 types of infections.  Assessment of confusion was done with previously validated CAM–S questionnaire.

Results:

In our study, the most common infection was pneumonitis followed by urinary tract infection.  In the correlation study of infections with acute confusional state of the elderly patients, the p–value was obtained as 0.002 which is quite within the significant limits set for this work.

Conclusion:

This study indicates a significant correlation of infections as co–moribitidies of acute confusional state in elderly patients