Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis

Confusion Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Confusion from other Symptoms
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis
Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Confusion
Risk calculators and risk factors for Confusion natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; ((AE}}Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Confusion is disturbance in mental status which develops rapidly. If untreated it develops into stupor / coma. Confusion caused due to metabolic changes can be rapidly corrected and have good prognosis compared to the one caused by underlying structural abnormalities of brain.

Natural history

Confusion is differentiated from similar symptoms by its rapidity of onset unlike dementia or depression. In hospitalized patients certain prodromal signs may be evident. They include irritability, sleep disturbances, excessive fatigue. Detection of these early signs is important in making a difference in the course of the disease. Unnoticed symptoms may lead to behavioral changes leading to hypo active stage later turning into agitated individual. In cases of poisoning or drug overdose onset of symptoms is rapid too and history of abuse or exposure is obtained. Metabolic derangement can be identified with the laboratory tests and necessary precautions can be taken in place avoid confusion.

Undetected prodrome or rapid onset of confusion can cause severe cognitive impairment.It can progress from days to weeks depending on the underlying cause. Undetected or untreated confusion leads to stupor/coma.

Prognosis

Prognosis depends on the cause of confusion.

• Confusion due to metabolic derangement like hypoglycemia, hypokalemia can be rapidly corrected and will have good prognosis.
• Confusion due to underlying structural lesions of brain may not have very good prognosis.
• Confusion caused by chemicals and poisons need through assessment of the condition. Detoxification will result in good prognosis.
• Underlying other disease can precipitate confusion , in such cases prognosis depends on the severity of the causative disease.