What’s behind delirium: is there a specific role for medications?

Aim: To provide a comprehensive and updated overview of studies investigating the role of medications in triggering delirium among older nursing home residents. Findings: Despite evidence from other healthcare settings, studies investigating the role of different medication classes in triggering delirium in nursing homes remain limited. Anticholinergic drugs appear to play a significant role, while other factors such as multiple comorbidities, frailty, cognitive impairment, and acute illnesses may interact with medications to exacerbate the risk. Message: Further research is needed to provide a deeper understanding of the role of medications in inducing delirium in nursing home residents, enabling a more nuanced exploration of the complex relationships among contributing factors.