Read story C05: Two changes, two timescales (image and text)
Delirium and dementia together: understanding the earlier history
David’s sudden confusion needs urgent care. His wife also describes slower changes over the previous year. The team treats delirium and arranges a fuller assessment of the longer history. Two things may be happening together. A diagnosis of dementia should not be made from one poor test during an acute illness.
Story text
Panel 1. Over the past year, some everyday tasks have become harder.
Panel 2. Then, over two days, a much larger change.
Panel 3.
- Helen: This confusion is new. But smaller things were changing before.
Panel 4.
- Doctor: He has delirium. We’ll treat the current problems first.
Panel 5.
- Doctor: We also need to understand the earlier changes. One test cannot tell us everything.
Panel 6. The longer history is assessed, with follow-up as needed.
Bottom band. Delirium and dementia can occur together. Both the sudden change and earlier history matter.