CLINICAL PROFILE, ETIOLOGY, AND OUTCOME OF NON-TRAUMATIC ALTERED MENTAL STATUS -A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN CHENNAI

Abstract

Background: Altered mental status” (AMS) comprises a group of clinical symptoms rather 
than a specific diagnosis, and includes cognitive disorders, attention disorders, arousal 
disorders, and decreased level of consciousness.1 Drugs (both illegal and prescribed), 
infections, metabolic disarray, trauma, neoplasms, stroke, convulsions, and a variety of organ 
system dysfunctions can all contribute to acute mental status changes in emergency 
department patients.2 Coma is frequently a transitory state that can lead to the recovery of 
consciousness, the vegetative state, the state of limited consciousness, or even brain death.