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DDS: Delirium Detection Score

2005

An eight-item score developed to detect and quantify delirium in critically ill patients, with items adapted in part from sedation/withdrawal assessment.

At a glance

Purpose
Measurement of delirium severity
Population
Adult
Setting
Intensive care
Time
variable
Items
8

Format: The instrument records 8 scored items or observations. This site classifies it under measurement of delirium severity and use in intensive care units. It is intended for adult use in Intensive care. The stated administration time is variable.

Primary validation papers

4 identified diagnostic-accuracy papers

Other forms of validation are described in the evidence section. What is counted?

Large-scale clinical implementation

None identified in the scoped review.

None identified in the selected profile sources and the Penfold general-hospital review. This is not a completed search of all settings or later papers.

Training and instructions

Public training resources have not yet been confirmed in this review. Check the linked developer or original source for instructions.

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Tool and original sources

No direct copy is linked here. The original paper and a Google Images search are available below. Image results may be unofficial; check the version and source before use.

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Original and selected diagnostic-accuracy papers

  • Original paperOtter H, Martin J, Bäsell K, von Heymann C, Hein OV, Böllert P, et al. Validity and reliability of the DDS for severity of delirium in the ICU. Neurocritical care. 2005;2(2):150-8. doi: 10.1385/NCC:2:2:150. PMID: 16159057.

    This paper reports the original validation of DDS. It reported sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 75% against the study reference standard.

    Open PubMed ↗
  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyLuetz A, Heymann A, Radtke FM, Chenitir C, Neuhaus U, Nachtigall I, et al. Different assessment tools for intensive care unit delirium: which score to use?. Critical care medicine. 2010;38(2):409-18. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181cabb42. PMID: 20029345.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DDS in university-hospital ICU against an independent DSM-IV clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 30% and specificity of 91% in 156 surgical ICU patients aged 60 years or older.

    Open PubMed ↗
  • Selected diagnostic-accuracy studyRadtke FM, Franck M, Schneider M, Luetz A, Seeling M, Heinz A, et al. Comparison of three scores to screen for delirium in the recovery room. British journal of anaesthesia. 2008;101(3):338-43. doi: 10.1093/bja/aen193. PMID: 18603528.

    This diagnostic-accuracy study evaluated DDS in post-anaesthesia recovery room against a DSM-IV clinical assessment. It reported sensitivity of 14% and specificity of 99% in 154 adult postoperative patients.

    Open PubMed ↗
Multiple DTA studies identifiedCore instrument family
Classification

Classification

Measurement of delirium severityUse in intensive care units

A tool may belong to more than one category. Select a linked category to see other relevant profiles.

Evidence

Diagnostic-accuracy evidenceMultiple DTA studies identified

Reported sensitivity and specificity

Headline metric source

Original/source study · 2005; pmid:16159057

Denominator
Not yet reconciled
Reference standard
Not recorded
69%
Sensitivity
75%
Specificity

Eight-item ICU severity score; AUC 0.80 against a sedation-agitation reference (n=1073).

More evidence and citation details
Full name
Delirium Detection Score
Also known as
DDS
Evidence summary
multi
Diagnostic-accuracy evaluations
4
Citation
Otter H, Martin J, Bäsell K, von Heymann C, Hein OV, Böllert P, Jänsch P, Behnisch I, Wernecke KD, Konertz W, Loening S, Blohmer JU, Spies C Validity and reliability of the DDS for severity of delirium in the ICU Neurocritical care. 2005;2(2):150-8. PMID 16159057
Download RIS ↗ Download BibTeX ↗

Primary validation studies

Distinct primary publications from the current diagnostic-accuracy audit. Reviews and repeated evaluations within one paper are not counted again. Overlapping cohorts have not all been reconciled. Read the counting rules and limitations.

Open 4 identified papers
  1. Otter H, Martin J, Bäsell K, von Heymann C, Hein OV, Böllert P, Jänsch P, Behnisch I, Wernecke KD, Konertz W, Loening S, Blohmer JU, Spies C (2005). Validity and reliability of the DDS for severity of delirium in the ICU. Neurocritical care.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  2. Radtke FM, Franck M, Schneider M, Luetz A, Seeling M, Heinz A, Wernecke KD, Spies CD (2008). Comparison of three scores to screen for delirium in the recovery room. British journal of anaesthesia.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

  3. Luetz A, Heymann A, Radtke FM, Chenitir C, Neuhaus U, Nachtigall I, von Dossow V, Marz S, Eggers V, Heinz A, Wernecke KD, Spies CD (2010). Different assessment tools for intensive care unit delirium: which score to use?. Critical care medicine.

    Reference category: independent clinical reference.

  4. Radtke FM, Franck M, Schust S, Boehme L, Pascher A, Bail HJ, Seeling M, Luetz A, Wernecke KD, Heinz A, Spies CD (2010). A comparison of three scores to screen for delirium on the surgical ward. World journal of surgery.

    Reference category: other comparator or secondary accuracy evidence.

Copyright and reuse
Information checked
2026-07-19

Instrument-specific terms apply. See the access and copyright policy or send a correction.

Base clinical review: 2026-07-29. Instrument description source check: 2026-09-05. Scope and limitations.