Analysis of Delirium in Patients with Malignant Tumor in Palliative Care Unit

BACKGROUND Since delirium has various adverse effects in patients with malignant tumors, it is important to eliminate the cause. We investigated delirium in patients with malignant tumors. METHOD Seventy seven malignant tumor patients who admitted to palliative care unit from May 2015 to March 2016 were subjected to a retrospective analysis of delirium. RESULTS Delirium was present in 17 patients(22.1%)on admission, and in 38 patients(49.4%)before discharge. After hospitalization, delirium improved without relapse in 5 patients(29%)and the onset of delirium was avoided in 34 patients(57%). Factors of delirium at admission were nausea and day/night reversal, factors of delirium at discharge were dementia, pain, and day/night reversal. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, we investigated the causes and course of delirium in patients with malignant tumors.