One‐year Medicare costs associated with delirium in older hospitalized patients with and without Alzheimer's disease dementia and related disorders

Abstract

Introduction One‐year health‐care costs associated with delirium in older hospitalized patients with and without Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) have not been examined previously. Methods Medicare costs were determined prospectively at discharge, and at 30, 90, and 365 days in a cohort (n = 311) of older adults after hospital admission. Results Seventy‐six (24%) patients had ADRD and were more likely to develop delirium (51% vs. 24%, P < 0.001) and die within 1 year (38% vs. 21%, P = 0.002). In ADRD patients with versus without delirium, adjusted mean difference in costs associated with delirium were $34,828; most of the excess costs were incurred between 90 and 365 days (P = 0.03). In non‐ADRD patients, delirium was associated with increased costs at all timepoints. Excess costs associated with delirium in ADRD patients increased progressively over 1 year, whereas in non‐ADRD patients the increase was consistent across time periods. Discussion Our findings highlight the complexity of health‐care costs for ADRD patients who develop delirium, a potentially preventable source of expenditures. Highlights Novel examination of health‐care costs of delirium in persons with and without Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Increased 1‐year costs of $34,828 in ADRD patients with delirium (vs. without). Increased costs for delirium in ADRD occur later during the 365‐day study period. For ADRD patients, cost differences between those with and without delirium increased over 1 year. For non‐ADRD patients, the parallel cost differences were consistent over time.