Bt. Carroll et L. Spetie, CATATONIA ON THE CONSULTATION-LIAISON SERVICE - A REPLICATION STUDY, International journal of psychiatry in medicine, 24(4), 1994, pp. 329-337
Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the frequency, present
ation, identification, treatment recommendations and outcome of patien
ts with catatonia in the general hospital setting. Method: All patient
s seen on a consultation-liaison (C-L) service over a six-month period
were screened prospectively for catatonic disorders. Research and DSM
-IV criteria for catatonic disorder were applied. Treatment and outcom
e were naturalistic. Results: Five (1.6%) of 297 patients met restrict
ive criteria for catatonic disorder. Data were extracted from medical
charts. Case reports are presented to reflect the diagnosis and treatm
ent. Extensive medical treatment was required in most cases and most h
ad an unfavorable outcome. Conclusions: Catatonia is infrequent but un
derrecognized in medical-surgical settings. The C-L clinician should s
creen for catatonic signs in order to diagnose and treat patients with
the catatonic disorders.