Psychiatry Research EG

Objectives This study was designed to assess the cognitive decline in different delirium subtypes and the change in the level of serum S100B, with determination of the outcome of delirium. Background Delirium involves a wide range of cognitive disturbances across its different subtypes. The serum S100B level is high in delirious patients and plays a role in the process of learning and memory. The outcome of delirium differs according to delirium subtypes. Participants and methods This study enrolled 35 delirious patients (group A) and two control groups. Group B comprised 10 patients with disease but without delirium. Group C comprised 10 normal healthy individuals. All participants were subjected to the Delirium Symptom Interview scale, the Cognitive Test for Delirium, the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale, and the Trail Making Test parts A and B, and the level of serum S100B was measured. About 17 delirious patients were followed up after 1 month to assess the cognitive decline and the mortality rate. Results The level of cognitive dysfunction in delirious patients was signifi cantly higher than that in the two control groups (group B and group C). The level of cognitive dysfunction was not signifi cantly different among the four delirium subtypes. Attention impairment occurred in 96% of the patients, and the less affected cognitive domain was comprehension, which occurred in 77% of the patients. The level of serum S100B was signifi cantly higher in delirious patients compared with the two control groups, but it was not signifi cantly different among the delirium subtypes. After 1 month, the hypoactive subtype was associated with more cognitive dysfunction and a high mortality rate. Conclusion Cognitive decline occurs in delirious patients, but this decline was not signifi cantly different among the delirium subtypes. The most affected cognitive domain was attention and the least affected one was comprehension. Delirium was associated with a high level of serum S100B, but this level was not signifi cantly different among the delirium subtypes. The hypoactive subtype was associated with a poor outcome. Keywor ds : cognitive decline, delirium subtypes, serum S100B