DETERMINE-PD

Defining delirium and its impact in Parkinson’s Disease

Principal Investigator: Dr Rachael Lawson

Funder: Parkinson’s UK

BAM Project members: Prof Alison Yarnall

Contact: Dr Rachael Lawson

Background:

Delirium is a severe, acute neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with altered levels of consciousness, confusion and impaired attention
Delirium is distressing and in older adults has been associated with an increased risk of dementia and mortality
People with Parkinson's disease may be at increased risk of delirium but there is a paucity of research in this area
Delirium may be more likely to be misidentified in people with Parkinson's disease because of an overlap in symptoms
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Silhouette of a person with a tangled brain, the tangle is lined to another silhouette of a head with a neat ball of wool
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Graphic of a warning sign

This pilot study aimed to:

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Determine how delirium in inpatients with Parkinson's is assessed and recorded  in participants' medical notes by health professionals
Determine the prevelence of delirium using robust criteria in people with Parkinson's disease admitted to hospital
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Evaluate the feasibility of recruiting and assessing people with Parkinson's and delirium in hospital

Funder: Parkinson’s UK

Contact: Dr Rachael Lawson