This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hjermstad, M. J Articles by Kaasa, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hjermstad, M. J Articles by Kaasa, S. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Methods for assessment of cognitive failure and delirium in palliative care patients: implications for practice and research

The Norwegian Cancer Society, Oslo, Department of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, University of Oslo, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim

Jon H Loge

Department of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, University of Oslo, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim

Stein Kaasa

Palliative Medicine Unit, Department of Oncology, St. Olav%'s Hospital, Trondheim

The most commonly encountered clinical conditions presenting with cognitive failure (CF) are delirium, dementia and amnestic disorders. Of these, delirium is probably the most prevalent in palliative care, and it is potentially reversible. Thus, improvement in diagnostics seems warranted. The objectives of this review were to examine the methods for assessment of CF and delirium in palliative care.

Twenty-two studies were reviewed: 64% were published in 2000 or later. Twelve reports focused on delirium, six on CF, while the remaining four assessed confusion (2), hallucinations and general psychological morbidity. Median sample size was 100 (20–393). Ten different instruments were used: The Mini Mental State Exam was used in 13 studies. Five studies were validation reports of new or existing instruments.

The term CF is an imprecise description of a loss in one or more of the cognitive functions. The interchangeable use of CF as a description of specific diagnoses should be avoided, as this contributes to prevalence rates that are not representative. Assessment tools that discriminate between the different diagnostic entities presenting with CF should be used in future studies.

Key Words: clinical practice • cognitive failure • delirium • palliative care

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Henderson, S. Scott, and M. Hotopf Use of the clock-drawing test in a hospice population Palliative Medicine, October 1, 2007; 21(7): 559 - 565. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Harris Delirium in advanced disease Postgrad. Med. J., August 1, 2007; 83(982): 525 - 528. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bosisio, A. Caraceni, L. Grassi, and the Italian Delirium Study Group (IDSG) Phenomenology of Delirium in Cancer Patients, as Described by The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) and The Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) Psychosomatics, December 1, 2006; 47(6): 471 - 478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Kelly, S. McClement, and H. M. Chochinov Measurement of psychological distress in palliative care Palliative Medicine, December 1, 2006; 20(8): 779 - 789. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A Spiller and J. C Keen Hypoactive delirium: assessing the extent of the problem for inpatient specialist palliative care Palliative Medicine, January 1, 2006; 20(1): 17 - 23. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. L Nekolaichuk, R. L Fainsinger, and P. G Lawlor A validation study of a pain classification system for advanced cancer patients using content experts: the Edmonton Classification System for Cancer Pain Palliative Medicine, September 1, 2005; 19(6): 466 - 476. [Abstract] [PDF]