Pain-Induced Delirium in Patient with Dementia: A Case Report and Narrative Review

Pain management is the hallmark of palliative care; however, pain is commonly underassessed in cases of advanced dementia and delirium (acute confusional state). We present a case of a 66-year-old female patient with severe dementia who was hospitalized because of behavioral changes and sleep disturbance. Symptoms of confusion, disorientation, inattention, and agitation were most severe at night. The patient never complained of any pain. Thorough examination revealed delirium superimposed on dementia with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, tooth pain, and geriatric syndrome. Treatment with tablets memantine 5 mg q.12 h, donepezil 10 mg q.day, haloperidol 1 mg q.12 h, lorazepam 1 mg q.day (if necessary), acetaminophen 500 mg q.8 h, and methylprednisolone 4 mg q.8 h, along with psychosocial support, improved her symptoms. Pain often manifests as neuropsychiatric symptoms, resulting in inappropriate use of antipsychotics. Precise pain assessment and effective treatment are imperative, particularly in advanced dementia. Underassessed and undertreated pain in dementia may lead to delirium and progression of dementia. It is paramount for future studies to emphasize comprehensive multidimensional pain assessment and total pain to better manage pain in advanced dementia, which will further enhance psychological well-being and quality of life in palliative care.