DDS: Delirium Detection Score
2005An eight-item score developed to detect and quantify delirium in critically ill patients, with items adapted in part from sedation/withdrawal assessment.
Classification
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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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Evidence
Reported sensitivity and specificity
Original/source study · 2005 — pmid:16159057
- Denominator
- Not yet reconciled
- Reference standard
- Not recorded
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 studies
- 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
Copyright and reuse
- Information checked
- 2026-07-19
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Sources checked 2026-07-29. How profiles are prepared.