Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
DSD is linked to adverse outcomes, compared to dementia alone, like longer hospitalisation [3], mortality [3, 4], functional decline [3] and need for residential care [3]. Dementia pathology, neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter imbalances, including acetylcholine deficiency, are likely significant predisposing risks for delirium [6], along with psychotropic polypharmacy, which is common in dementia. Good dementia care and delirium prevention/management overlap significantly, aiding feasibility. In conclusion, delirium assessment is a priority in a person with dementia who is deteriorated or ‘different’.
Key findings
- DSD is linked to adverse outcomes, compared to dementia alone, like longer hospitalisation [3], mortality [3, 4], functional decline [3] and need for residential care [3].
- Dementia pathology, neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter imbalances, including acetylcholine deficiency, are likely significant predisposing risks for delirium [6], along with psychotropic polypharmacy, which is common in dementia.
- Good dementia care and delirium prevention/management overlap significantly, aiding feasibility.
- In conclusion, delirium assessment is a priority in a person with dementia who is deteriorated or ‘different’.
Why it matters
This review describes delirium superimposed on dementia as linked to worse outcomes such as longer hospitalization and mortality, and notes that dementia pathology and neurotransmitter imbalances are likely predisposing risks. It emphasizes that good dementia care and delirium prevention overlap, and that delirium assessment is a priority in a person with dementia who has deteriorated.
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Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Participants64
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 57/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Age and Ageing) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Age and Ageing: journal h-index 231 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 64 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 2 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Rowan Harwood: h-index 50 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Nottingham: institution h-index 879 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41433032) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 57 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Timmons, S., Bellelli, G., Morandi, A., & Harwood, R. (2025). Delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD)—a practical approach. Age and Ageing. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf367
Vancouver
Timmons S, Bellelli G, Morandi A, Harwood R. Delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD)—a practical approach. Age and Ageing. 2025. doi:10.1093/ageing/afaf367. PMID: 41433032.
BibTeX
@article{timmons2025-41433032,
author = {Timmons, Suzanne and Bellelli, Giuseppe and Morandi, Alessandro and Harwood, Rowan},
title = {{Delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD)—a practical approach}},
journal = {Age and Ageing},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1093/ageing/afaf367},
pmid = {41433032},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf367}
}
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