Deliriumissa

Deliriumissa is a term that appears in some Finnish-language medical and popular literature to describe the clinical state commonly known as delirium. In standard English-language medicine, the condition is simply delirium, and deliriumissa is not recognized as a separate diagnosis in major classifications such as DSM-5 or ICD-11.

Definition and features: Deliriumissa refers to an acute, fluctuating disturbance of consciousness, with impairment of attention and cognition, often accompanied by perceptual disturbances and altered psychomotor activity. The onset is rapid, typically over hours to days, and symptoms may wax and wane over the course of a day.

Causes and risk factors: It arises from an underlying medical condition or injuries such as infection, organ failure, metabolic or electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, hypoxia, medication effects, intoxication, or withdrawal. Risk factors include advanced age, preexisting cognitive impairment, severe illness, medical or surgical hospitalization, and polypharmacy.

Diagnosis and differential: Diagnosis relies on recognizing acute onset and fluctuating course, inattention, and a disturbance in cognition, with evidence of an underlying cause. Delirium must be distinguished from dementia, primary psychiatric illness, or coma. Laboratory tests, imaging, and clinical history are used to identify triggering conditions.

Management: The primary focus is treating the underlying cause, ensuring patient safety, reorientation, hydration, sleep promotion, and minimizing deliriogenic medications. Nonpharmacologic measures are preferred; antipsychotics may be used for severe agitation or distress when necessary, at the lowest effective dose and with caution.

Prognosis and epidemiology: Delirium is common among hospitalized and older patients and is associated with longer hospital stays and higher mortality, though many cases improve with appropriate treatment. Deliriumissa, as a term, is not widely used in contemporary English-language medical literature beyond descriptive, regional usage.