What every intensivist needs to know about subsyndromal delirium in the intensive care unit - Critical Care Science (CCS)

Introduction

Several studies have described the negative outcomes associated with delirium in the short or long term,^(,) but not every form of delirium has the same prognosis. The duration and severity of delirium have been found to be the main factors associated with worse outcomes.^(,) In fact, a very short delirium duration seems to have little impact on the mortality rates of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).⁽⁾ Despite advances in the recognition of delirium, there is still a large number of patients who present acute cognitive dysfunction during the ICU stay but still do not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of delirium.⁽⁾ These patients were classified as having a condition known as subsyndromal delirium (SSD).^(,) Subsyndromal delirium has been commonly reported as an intermediate stage between delirium and normal mental status, but there is little knowledge about its pathophysiology and epidemiology.

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