Delirium and Cognitive Impairment Development in Hospitalized Older Adults Under Isolation Conditions

Launched by UNIVERSITÄTSKLINIKUM HAMBURG-EPPENDORF · Aug 3, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether older adults in the hospital who need to be kept in isolation—because of drug-resistant bacteria or other reasons—are more likely to experience delirium (a sudden confusion) or a decline in thinking abilities compared to similar patients who are not isolated. The study will carefully compare patients of the same age, gender, health conditions, and frailty to see if isolation itself affects their mental state.

To take part, patients need to be 70 years or older, currently in the hospital, and under isolation precautions for at least one day. People who are very sick with a life expectancy of less than two weeks, or those in intensive care, cannot join. Participants will have their mental status checked twice daily while in the hospital using a simple screening tool, and their thinking skills will be tested again six weeks after leaving the hospital. The study will last from the time a patient joins until six weeks after they go home. This research aims to better understand how isolation might impact the brain health of older adults during and after their hospital stay.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion Criteria: - hospitalized patients
• • under isolation precautions for at least 24h
• • 70 years and above
• • Exclusion Criteria: - no informed consent
• • intensive care treatment
• • life expectancy 14 days or less