Delirium Market - Size, Share, Industry Trends, and Forecasts (2025-2032)

By Condition Type:

Based on the condition type, the market is categorized into hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed.

Trends in the Condition Type:

• Exploration of non-pharmacological interventions such as calming music, aromatherapy, and physical therapy to manage agitation.
• Development of more accurate predictive models to identify patients at higher risk for developing the hyperactive type of condition, allowing for proactive interventions.

The hyperactive segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024.

• Hyperactive is a subtype of delirium characterized by a prominent state of agitation, restlessness, and hyperalertness. Key features include psychomotor agitation, encompassing restlessness, pacing, and even combativeness.
• Patients exhibit altered levels of consciousness, fluctuating between confusion and disorientation. Hallucinations, both visual and auditory, as well as delusions, are frequently observed.
• Potential causes of the hyperactive type of this condition include infections such as urinary tract infections and pneumonia, metabolic disturbances like electrolyte imbalances and hypoglycemia, adverse medication reactions from opioids, benzodiazepines, and anticholinergics, substance withdrawal, and intracranial conditions such as stroke or head trauma.
• Several factors drive the growth of this segment within the overall delirium market analysis. As individuals age, the incidence of age-related conditions and the utilization of healthcare services increase. This translates to a higher likelihood of encountering hyperactive conditions, particularly in settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• Recognizing hyperactive type as a significant clinical challenge, with potential for patient harm such as falls, injuries, and aggression, healthcare providers are increasingly prioritizing strategies to manage this condition to improve patient safety and reduce complications.
• Overall, in essence, the growing recognition of the clinical significance of hyperactive acute brain failure, coupled with an increased focus on patient safety and the development of targeted interventions, are driving the trajectory of this segment within the broader delirium market demand.

The hypoactive segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

• Hypoactive delirium is a mental state characterized by drowsiness, lethargy, and reduced motor activity. It's the most common type of condition in older people.
• Clinical symptoms of this type include unawareness, decreased alertness, sparse or slow speech, lethargy, slowed movements, staring, and apathy.
• The risk of hypoactive type of this condition varies significantly depending on an individual's vulnerability. In younger, healthy individuals with no cognitive impairment, a more severe precipitating event, such as meningitis, traumatic brain injury, or sepsis requiring intensive care, triggers the symptoms. Conversely, in older, frail individuals with pre-existing cognitive impairment, even minor metabolic disturbances, urinary tract infections, or constipation often induce this condition.
• The higher incidences of the hypoactive type of this condition are a prominent factor driving the segment trajectory.
• For instance, according to the research study published by the Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders in February 2024, it is stated that 68% of individuals aged more than 50 were diagnosed with hypoactive delirium postoperatively in Massachusetts General Hospital. This high prevalence of hypoactive type creates a significant need for effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies.
• Overall, the high prevalence of hypoactive type, particularly among older adults, as evidenced by research, significantly drives the market trajectory.

By Type:

Based on type, the market is categorized into diagnosis and treatment.

Trends in type:

• Integration of digital technologies such as the use of wearable sensors, telemedicine platforms, and AI-powered tools to continuously monitor patient vital signs, assess cognitive function, and detect early signs.
• Growing interest in developing rapid, point-of-care tests for this condition.
• Increasing emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management.

The treatment segment accounted for the largest delirium market share in the year 2024.

The segment is further categorized as pharmacological management and non-pharmacological management.

• A wide range of pharmacological agents are adopted for the management of delirium. Pharmacological management is primarily indicated for cases of severe agitation or anxiety that pose a significant risk of harm to the patient or others. Antipsychotic medications are generally considered the first-line treatment option. These medications support effective reduction in agitation, anxiety, and associated psychotic symptoms, while also exerting a sedative effect and potentially improving cognitive function in patients.
• Non-pharmacological treatment focuses on creating a supportive and unambiguous environment to improve patient orientation and maintain their cognitive function. Key components of this approach include providing consistent support and orientation, ensuring a clear and predictable environment, implementing measures to maintain cognitive function, and providing other supportive measures such as adequate hydration, nutrition, and pain management.
• The increasing global population, particularly the elderly, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases contribute to a higher incidence of this condition across various healthcare settings. This increased prevalence necessitates a greater focus on effective treatment options.
• Overall, the rising prevalence among the elderly population, driven by factors and trends such as an aging global population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, necessitates a greater focus on effective treatment options. This growing need, coupled with advancements in pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, supports a significant trajectory within the delirium treatment market.

The diagnosis segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

• The diagnosis segment encompasses a diverse range of tools and technologies employed to identify and assess delirium in patients.
• Key components include standardized assessment scales such as the confusion assessment method, the intensive care delirium screening checklist, and as well as brief cognitive tests to evaluate attention, memory, and orientation.
• Neuroimaging techniques such as MRI (magnetic imaging resonance) and PET (positron emission tomography) scans provide valuable insights into potential brain abnormalities. Laboratory tests, particularly blood tests, help identify underlying medical conditions contributing to this condition.
• Growth of this segment is driven by a growing emphasis on early detection, and increased awareness among healthcare professionals about the importance of early detection and the availability of effective diagnostic tools. Additionally, advancements in diagnostic technologies also support the trajectory of the segment.
• For instance, in September 2022, Ceribell, Inc., announced that it received Breakthrough Device Designation for its delirium indication from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A first-of-its-kind technology, the Ceribell system utilizes machine learning to analyze electroencephalography (EEG) signals to detect delirium.
• Overall, the growing emphasis on early detection, advancements in diagnostic technologies, and the emergence of innovative tools like Ceribell's EEG-based system are driving significant trajectories within the diagnosis segment of the market.

By End-User:

Based on end user, the market is categorized into hospitals, clinics, homecare and others.

Trends in the End User:

• Adoption of telemedicine services for remote diagnosis and management of the condition, especially in rural and underserved areas.

The hospitals segment accounted for the largest market share of 53.11% in the year 2024.

• Hospitals serve a crucial role as primary centers for the comprehensive treatment of, offering a sophisticated ecosystem of medical expertise. As the primary setting for acute care, hospitals witness the highest incidence, particularly within critical care units and post-operative settings.
• Recognizing the significant impact of this condition on patient outcomes hospitals prioritize patient safety and quality of care by actively implementing strategies to manage this condition. These strategies encompass a comprehensive approach ensuring the availability of skilled healthcare professionals trained in condition recognition and management.
• Furthermore, many hospitals implement standardized protocols for the diagnosis and management of this condition. Additionally, hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques enabling precise diagnosis of the condition. Additionally, growing healthcare spending is significantly contributing to the provision of effective care through hospital settings.
• For instance, based on the analysis published by the S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in December 2023, hospital care accounted for 30% of overall U.S. national healthcare spending in 2022. Spending on hospital care services increased 2.2% in 2022 to reach USD 1.4 trillion. Given the substantial contribution to hospital care, there is a growing focus on adopting innovative treatment solutions for various conditions including delirium.
• Hospitals also serve as pivotal centers for research and clinical trials for this condition, driving the development of innovative diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, and improved management strategies.
• Thus, hospitals, with their comprehensive resources and focus on patient safety, play a pivotal role in management, driving market trajectory through research, clinical trials, and the implementation of effective diagnostic and treatment strategies.

The homecare segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

• Home care refers to the provision of medical, social, or therapeutic treatment and assistive care by licensed professionals to individuals in their residences. This type of care is designed to help people who are aging, disabled, chronically ill, or recovering from a medical event to improve their quality of life while receiving healthcare services.
• The homecare segment is experiencing a significant trajectory owing to several key factors, including the increasing emphasis on home-based healthcare, driven by factors such as cost-effectiveness, patient preference for receiving care in familiar surroundings, and advancements in telehealth technologies that enable remote monitoring and care delivery.
• The aging population's preference for care in home settings significantly increases the demand for home care services, which play a crucial role in supporting their healthcare needs, including the management of delirium.
• Furthermore, home care services are essential for providing post-discharge care for patients who have experienced this condition in hospital settings, thereby preventing recurrence.
• Thus, home health aides play a vital role in this continuum of care by identifying and monitoring signs of this condition in home care settings, providing crucial information to healthcare providers, and assisting with the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions.