Delirium: A Frequent Manifestation in COVID-19 Older Patients

Francesco Mattace-Raso, Harmke Polinder-Bos, Barbara Oosterwijk, Rozemarijn van Bruchem-Visser, Jeannette Goudzwaard, Christian Oudshoorn, Gijsbertus Ziere, Angelique Egberts Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Francesco Mattace-RasoDivision of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Office RG 534, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam, GD 3015, the NetherlandsTel +31 10 703 59 79Email f.mattaceraso@erasmusmc.nlAbstract: The authors report a high prevalence of delirium in COVID-19 old patients admitted in an academic hospital. During the recent COVID-19 period, delirium was present in 38% of old patients admitted with delirium at the COVID ward of the Erasmus MC University Medical Center of Rotterdam. We do not know in which patients COVID-19 can cause delirium; however, considering the high prevalence of delirium in COVID-19 old patients and the potential serious consequences, attention is needed in order to reduce disability and mortality in this vulnerable category of patients.Keywords: delirium, old patients, COVID-19