Benzodiazepines in the treatment of catatonic syndrome.
During a 5-month period, 18 (8%) of 212 patients admitted to a psychiatric unit affiliated to a teaching hospital were found to have a catatonic syndrome associated with various nonorganic mental disorders. Signs and symptoms of motor retardation predominated the clinical presentations. In the course of a prospective, open study, all 18 patients were challenged by a small dose of oral lorazepam or intramuscular diazepam. Catatonic signs and symptoms in 2 patients showed an immediate, complete, and sustained response to the medication. The remaining 16 patients were maintained on 1 of the 2 benzodiazepines for the next 48 h when their motor status was re-evaluated. Significant clinical improvement was detected in all but 2 patients. However, 9 patients needed electroconvulsive treatment to achieve further improvement. Short-term benzodiazepine administration proved to be a safe and effective treatment of the catatonic syndrome.
Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
G S
GS
Ungvari
C M
CM
Leung
M K
MK
Wong
J
J
Lau
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002389:Catatonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam