2 research outputs found
Bibliotheken in der Open-Access-Transformation: Transformation in Thüringen: Barbara Waszynski (Hochschule Schmalkalden), Peter Blume (Technische Universität Ilmenau) und Dana Horch (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) im Interview mit Kai Geschuhn (Max Planck Digital Library Services gGmbH, München)
The DSM-5 criteria, level of arousal and delirium diagnosis: inclusiveness is safer
Background: Delirium is a common and serious problem among acutely unwell persons. Alhough linked to higher
rates of mortality, institutionalisation and dementia, it remains underdiagnosed. Careful consideration of its
phenomenology is warranted to improve detection and therefore mitigate some of its clinical impact. The
publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association
(DSM-5) provides an opportunity to examine the constructs underlying delirium as a clinical entity.
Discussion: Altered consciousness has been regarded as a core feature of delirium; the fact that consciousness itself
should be physiologically disrupted due to acute illness attests to its clinical urgency. DSM-5 now operationalises
‘consciousness’ as ‘changes in attention’. It should be recognised that attention relates to content of consciousness,but arousal corresponds to level of consciousness. Reduced arousal is also associated with adverse outcomes. Attention and arousal are hierarchically related; level of arousal must be sufficient before attention can be reasonably tested.
Summary: Our conceptualisation of delirium must extend beyond what can be assessed through cognitive testing
(attention) and accept that altered arousal is fundamental. Understanding the DSM-5 criteria explicitly in this way offers the most inclusive and clinically safe interpretation.status: publishe