The syndrome confusional acute (SCA) is one of the most frequent mental disorders in patients hospitalized by medical diseases. It is characterized by acute onset symptoms fluctuating course, impaired attention, unorganized thinking, and altered level of conciousness. Though it is considered to be a reversible disease, often it is a sign of future deterioration of the cognitive functions.

To determine delirium prevalence and risk factors in a cohort of hospitalized patients. To know the characteristics of this population and the psychopharmaceuticals used.

A descritptive and retrospective study was conducted, based on the review of 2642 medical records of hospitalized patients in the Clinical University Hospital of Valladolid between July, 2007 and February, 2010.

893 (33,8%) presented delirium. 63,3% were men and 36,7% were women. The mean of age was 77 years. Turned out as significant predictive factors with highest percentages: cardiovascular disease (18,3%), traumophaty (15,1%). The principal motive of consultation was surgical pathology (48,1%). 30% presented cognitive deterioration also. They were medicated with tiaprizal (75%), olanzapina (24%), quetiapina (22,5%) and other medications.

The SCA is a frequent syndrome and has a negative impact on morbidity, as well as in resource use. It is possible to identify risk patients. The SCA can be the form of presentation of a physical serious disease or appear as a serious complication of a disease or of treatment. The treatment must divide in three principal aspects: prevention, treatment of the causal disease and symptomatic treatment of the delirium.