Duration of delirium shortened by the correction of electrolyte imbalance.

Abstract

Among 53 delirious patients with an electrolyte imbalance in the serum, the duration of delirium in 18 cases was significantly shortened by the correction of electrolyte imbalance, compared with that of 35 cases of delirium without an electrolyte correction. The mean duration of delirium (mean value +/- SE) corrected by electrolyte was 9.4 +/- 1.9 days, whereas the mean duration of delirium without the electrolyte correction was 25.7 +/- 4.6 days. The mean duration of delirium in 13 cases without the electrolyte imbalance was 25.0 +/- 6.6 days. From these results, the electrolyte correction should be done systematically for the delirious patients as a treatment for the disorder.