Confusion - Delirium in Palliative Medicine

Delirium as a special form of "confusion" is a common multifactorial syndrome in palliative medicine. The diagnostic criteria and the differential diagnosis of other psychiatric disorders such as depression, organic delusional disorder or dementia are presented. As a diagnostic assessment, the Confusion Assessment Method is the tool of choice. Preventive, non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies for management of delirium are discussed. Not least, the importance of delirious symptoms for the terminal situation and the resulting implications are illustrated.