Risk factors for delirium in adults

Delirium is often triggered by one or more precipitating risk factors. Although delirium commonly occurs in an adult with one or more predisposing risk factors, it can be triggered by a significant event in a person without predisposing risk factors (eg a young adult who is critically unwell). The more predisposing factors present, the fewer precipitating factors needed to trigger delirium. The exact pathophysiology of this triggering process is complex and not well understood; however, assessing and treating these causes is a key part of managing delirium.