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Twenty-eight(41.8%)of the 67 subjects referred for evaluation or treatment of a depressive disorder were found to be delirious.Compared with nondelirious patients,the delirious subjects were older and more impaired in activities of daily living.The delirious subjects often endorsed depressive symptoms,such as low mood(60%),worthlessness(68%),and frequent thoughts of death(52%).The referring health care provider had considered delirium in the differential diagnosis of the mood disturbance in only three subjects.Health care providers should consider the diagnosis of delirium in hospitalized elderly patients who appear to be depressed. |
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