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TM The EPEC-O Project Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care - Oncology The EPEC TM -O Curriculum is produced by the EPEC TM Project with major funding provided by NCI, with supplemental funding provided by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
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EPEC – Oncology Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care – Oncology Module 3g: Symptoms – Delirium Module 3g: Symptoms – Delirium
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Delirium l A disturbance of consciousness l A change in cognition l Acute onset, fluctuating course APA Practice guideline. Am J Psychiatry. 1999. l A disturbance of consciousness l A change in cognition l Acute onset, fluctuating course APA Practice guideline. Am J Psychiatry. 1999.
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Associated changes l Day-night reversal l Emotional state l Nonspecific neurological abnormalities l Decline in functional ability l Day-night reversal l Emotional state l Nonspecific neurological abnormalities l Decline in functional ability
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Types l Hyperactive Associated behavioral disturbances Hallucinations Delusional beliefs l Hypoactive Quiet Mistaken for depression or fatigue l Mixed – waxing and waning l Hyperactive Associated behavioral disturbances Hallucinations Delusional beliefs l Hypoactive Quiet Mistaken for depression or fatigue l Mixed – waxing and waning
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Prevalence l 80 – 85% of terminally ill patients
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Prognosis l Increased risk of Complications Protracted hospitalizations Protracted postoperative recovery l 25% delirious patients die <6 months l In elderly delirious, risk of dying during a hospital admission is 22 – 76% l Increased risk of Complications Protracted hospitalizations Protracted postoperative recovery l 25% delirious patients die <6 months l In elderly delirious, risk of dying during a hospital admission is 22 – 76%
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Key points l Pathophysiology l Assessment l Management l Pathophysiology l Assessment l Management
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Causes of delirium... l Infection l Withdrawal l Acute metabolic l Trauma l CNS pathology l Hypoxia l Infection l Withdrawal l Acute metabolic l Trauma l CNS pathology l Hypoxia l Deficiencies l Endocrinopathies l Acute vascular l Toxins or drugs l Heavy metals
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... Causes of delirium l Don’t forget: Constipation, fecal impaction Urinary retention l Don’t forget: Constipation, fecal impaction Urinary retention
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Neurophysiology l Multiple cortical, subcortical levels affected l Several neurotransmitters involved l Changes in regional cerebral perfusion l Multiple cortical, subcortical levels affected l Several neurotransmitters involved l Changes in regional cerebral perfusion
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Assessment l Clinical history, physical examination, serial observations l Folstein Mini-Mental State exam l Review of medication regimen l Thorough medical and laboratory work-up to elucidate underlying cause l Clinical history, physical examination, serial observations l Folstein Mini-Mental State exam l Review of medication regimen l Thorough medical and laboratory work-up to elucidate underlying cause
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Delirium vs. dementia DeliriumDementia Change in alertness YesNo Onset Hours to days Gradual Fluctuation YesNo
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Management l Treat underlying causes l Nonpharmacologic l Pharmacologic l Consult psychiatrist for assistance l Treat underlying causes l Nonpharmacologic l Pharmacologic l Consult psychiatrist for assistance
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Treat underlying causes l Medications o Anticholinergics o Analgesics l Ensure adequate hydration l Many other causes l Medications o Anticholinergics o Analgesics l Ensure adequate hydration l Many other causes
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Non-pharmacologic management l Environmental factors o Materials (calendars, clocks) to reorient o Adequate soft lighting o Identify all individuals o Limit number of different individuals o Limit stimulation o Sitters for safety l Environmental factors o Materials (calendars, clocks) to reorient o Adequate soft lighting o Identify all individuals o Limit number of different individuals o Limit stimulation o Sitters for safety
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Pharmacologic management l Antipsychotics o Haloperidol (nonsedating) o Chlorpromazine (sedating) o Risperidone (nonsedating) o Olanzapine (sedating) o Quetiapine (sedating) l Antipsychotics o Haloperidol (nonsedating) o Chlorpromazine (sedating) o Risperidone (nonsedating) o Olanzapine (sedating) o Quetiapine (sedating)
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Day-night reversal l Use a sedating antipsychotic o Chlorpromazine o Olanzapine o Quetiapine l Use a sedating antipsychotic o Chlorpromazine o Olanzapine o Quetiapine
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Managing adverse effects l Dystonic reactions Diphenhydramine l Akathisia, parkinsonian reactions Benztropine l Tardive Dyskinesia Stop medications Consult psychiatry l Dystonic reactions Diphenhydramine l Akathisia, parkinsonian reactions Benztropine l Tardive Dyskinesia Stop medications Consult psychiatry
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Benzodiazepines l Delirium due to alcohol withdrawal l For all other causes, not first-line therapy More likely cause disinhibition, particularly in elderly l Low dose with antipsychotic medications may be synergistic l Delirium due to alcohol withdrawal l For all other causes, not first-line therapy More likely cause disinhibition, particularly in elderly l Low dose with antipsychotic medications may be synergistic
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Reassess regularly l Monitor carefully l If negligible or partial response Re-evaluate diagnosis Inquire about adherence to medication Consider dosage adjustment Consider a different medication Refer to a specialist l Monitor carefully l If negligible or partial response Re-evaluate diagnosis Inquire about adherence to medication Consider dosage adjustment Consider a different medication Refer to a specialist
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Terminal delirium l Delirium during the dying process o Signs of the dying process o Agitation, restlessness o Moaning, groaning l Multiple causes, irreversible l Lorazepam or midazolam to settle l Sedating antipsychotics Breitbart W, Strout D. Clin Geriatr Med. 2000. l Delirium during the dying process o Signs of the dying process o Agitation, restlessness o Moaning, groaning l Multiple causes, irreversible l Lorazepam or midazolam to settle l Sedating antipsychotics Breitbart W, Strout D. Clin Geriatr Med. 2000.
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Summary Use comprehensive assessment and pathophysiology-based therapy to treat the cause and improve the cancer experience.
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