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Background: We developed and validated a risk score to predict delirium after stroke which was derived from our prospective cohort study where several risk factors were identified., Methods: Using the β coefficients from the logistic regression model, we allocated a score to values of the risk factors. In the first model, stroke severity, stroke subtype, infection, stroke localisation, pre-existent cognitive decline and age were included. The second model included age, stroke severity, stroke subtype and infection. A third model only included age and stroke severity. The risk score was validated in an independent dataset., Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of the first model was 0.85 (sensitivity 86%, specificity 74%). In the second model, the AUC was 0.84 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 75%). The third model had an AUC of 0.80 (sensitivity 79%, specificity 73%). In the validation set, model 1 had an AUC of 0.83 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 77%). The second had an AUC of 0.83 (sensitivity 76%, specificity 81%). The third model gave an AUC of 0.82 (sensitivity of 73%, specificity 75%). We conclude that model 2 is easy to use in clinical practice and slightly better than model 3 and, therefore, was used to create risk tables to use as a tool in clinical practice., Conclusions: A model including age, stroke severity, stroke subtype and infection can be used to identify patients who have a high risk to develop delirium in the early phase of stroke.

Objective: To study the association between the epsilon 4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOEε4) and delirium in a stroke population., Methods: 527 consecutive stroke patients were screened for delirium during the first week of admission with the confusion assessment method. In three hundred fifty-three patients genomic DNA isolation was available., Results: The incidence of delirium after stroke in the 353 patients was 11.3%. There was no association between APOEε4 and delirium. Even after adjustment for IQCODE, stroke localization, stroke subtype, stroke severity, infection, and brain atrophy no association was found (odds ratio: 0.9; 95% confidence interval: 0.4-2.1). Delirium did not last longer in patients with an APOEε4 allele compared to patients without an APOEε4 allele (median: 5.6 days [range: 1-21] versus median: 4.6 days [range: 1-15], p = 0.5)., Conclusion: There was no association between the presence of an APOEε4 allele and the occurrence of delirium in the acute phase after stroke., (Copyright © 2013 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Delirium is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment and development of dementia in medical patients. It has never been thoroughly studied whether this association is also present in the stroke population. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of delirium in the acute phase after stroke on cognitive functioning two years later., Methods: Two years after stroke, 50 patients (22 with and 28 without delirium in the acute phase) were assessed on two screening instruments for dementia and a neuropsychological test battery., Results: Delirium was an independent predictor for development of dementia as assessed by the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (odds ratio (OR) 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08 to 20.42) and by the Rotterdam-CAMCOG (OR 7.2, 95% CI 1.88 to 27.89). Cognitive domains most affected in patients with previous delirium were memory, language, visual construction and executive functioning., Conclusions: Delirium in the acute phase after stroke is an independent predictor for severe cognitive impairment two years after stroke. These findings emphasize the importance of both rapid detection and treatment of delirium after stroke. Furthermore, periodic monitoring and evaluation of cognitive functioning in these vulnerable patients in the years after stroke is strongly recommended., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This prospective cohort study assesses incidence of delirium after stroke. In addition, risk factors during the first week were assessed. Finally, outcome in relation to development of delirium was studied., Methods: A total of 527 consecutive patients with stroke (median age, 72 years; range, 29-96 years) were screened for delirium during the first week after admission. We diagnosed delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method. Cognitive functioning prior to the stroke was assessed with the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Neurologic deficits were assessed with the NIH Stroke Scale., Results: A total of 62 patients with stroke (11.8%) developed delirium during the first week of admission. Independent risk factors were preexisting cognitive decline (odds ratio [OR] for IQCODE above 50: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-5.7) and infection (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.8). Furthermore, right-sided hemispheric stroke (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-3.0), anterior circulation large-vessel stroke (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.2), the highest tertile of the NIH Stroke Scale (OR for highest vs lowest tertile 15.1, 95% CI 3.3-69.0), and brain atrophy (OR for highest versus lowest tertile 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.8) increased the risk for delirium. Delirium was associated with a worse outcome in terms of duration of hospitalization, mortality, and functional outcome., Conclusions: Delirium occurs in almost 1 out of every 8 patients with stroke on a stroke unit and is associated with cognitive decline, infection, right-sided hemispheric stroke, anterior circulation large-vessel stroke, stroke severity, and brain atrophy. Delirium after stroke is associated with a worse outcome.

Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of a routine assessment (clinical impression) with a structured assessment which uses a validated assessment scale for the recognition of delirium on the intensive care unit (ICU)., Design: Observational study., Method: During their admission to the intensive care unit, 103 patients were assessed daily (with a maximum of 40 days) for the presence of delirium using the Confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). Their physicians indicated whether or not they considered the patient delirious. These findings were compared. For all patients daily information was also collected about fixation and complications, such as self-extubation or self-removal of catheters., Results: The patients were assessed for a period of 502 patient-days. CAM-ICU scores were positive (n = 108), negative (n = 235) or non-assessable because the patient was comatosed or deeply sedated (n = 159). The sensitivity of clinical detection by the physicians was 45% in comparison to the CAM-ICU. The specificity was high (97%)., Conclusion: The diagnosis delirium is frequently missed on the ICU when only based on clinical impression. Routine assessment using a validated assessment scale such as the CAM-ICU might possibly improve this.

Background: Delirium is a common disorder in the early phase of stroke. Given the presumed cholinergic deficiency in delirium, we tested treatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine., Methods: This pilot study was performed within an epidemiological study. In 527 consecutive stroke patients presence of delirium was assessed during the first week with the confusion assessment method. Severity was scored with the delirium rating scale (DRS). Sixty-two patients developed a delirium in the acute phase of stroke. Only patients with a severe and persistent delirium (defined as a DRS of 12 or more for more than 24 hours) were enrolled in the present study. In total 26 fulfilled these criteria of whom 17 were treated with orally administered rivastigmine with a total dose between 3 and 12 mg a day. Eight patients could not be treated because of dysphagia and one because of early discharge., Results: No major side effects were recorded. In 16 patients there was a considerable decrease in severity of delirium. The mean DRS declined from 14.8 on day one to 8.5 after therapy and 5.6 after tapering. The mean duration of delirium was 6.7 days (range; 2-17)., Conclusion: Rivastigmine is safe in stroke patients with delirium even after rapid titration. In the majority of patients the delirium improved after treatment. A randomized controlled trial is needed to establish the usefulness of rivastigmine in delirium after stroke., Trial Registration: Nederlands Trial Register NTR1395.

Background: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances of consciousness, attention, cognition, and perception. It may be the presenting feature of acute stroke, but more often it complicates the clinical course in the early stage of rehabilitation., Summary of Review: Risk factors for delirium are older age, pre-existing cognitive decline, metabolic disturbances, infections, and polypharmacy. Recognition of delirium in patients with stroke is important because of its association with a longer stay in the hospital, a poor functional outcome, and an increased risk of developing dementia. The diagnosis may be difficult because of the fluctuating course and the neurological deficits that are caused by the stroke. Nonpharmacological preventive measures, early identification, and additional medical intervention are the key measures in the management of delirium after stroke., Conclusion: This review describes incidence, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostic tools, and management of delirium in patients with a recent stroke.