查看文章

Patients with an acute illness frequently acquire an acute, global disturbance in cognition variably referred to as delirium, encephalopathy, acute confusional state, acute brain dysfunction, acute brain failure, and altered mental status [1]. Although these different terms may have been perceived as distinct clinical entities [2], evidence to support such distinctions is lacking. Acute disturbances in cognition are particularly prevalent among individuals admitted to the intensive-care unit [3]. These disturbances have been linked to predisposing and triggering factors [4], and have been independently associated with adverse short-and long-term outcomes, including higher mortality and chronic cognitive impairment [5, 6]. While progress has been made in the detection of this problem, research is needed to identify effective interventions for prevention and treatment. A rational approach to nomenclature represents an …