title: Prevalence and clinical correlations of catatonia in older adults referred to a liaison psychiatry service in a general hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency and clinical correlations of catatonia in older patients referred to a liaison psychiatry service in a general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients over 65 years referred to liaison psychiatry were screened for catatonic phenomena with the Bush-Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI) between January and May 2012. Their clinical characteristics and the outcome of treatment were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twelve patients over 65 years were referred. Ten (8.9%) met research diagnostic criteria for catatonia and 7 (6.3%) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition criteria for catatonia. All patients presented with the inhibited variant and 5 to 12 catatonic signs. Three patients presented concomitant delirium. The etiology of catatonia was multifactorial, and complications and death were frequent (40% and 20%, respectively). Lorazepam achieved full resolution of catatonia in 50% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Catatonia in older adults referred to liaison psychiatry in a general hospital is not infrequent and has a multifactorial etiology. The BFCSI is a simple and reliable instrument to detect catatonia in this population. Lorazepam seems to be an effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Network of Gipuzkoa, Basque Health Service - Osakidetza, Arrasate - Mondragon, Country-Basque, Spain. Electronic address: walter.jaimesalbornoz@osakidetza.net.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaimes-Albornoz
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serra-Mestres
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002389:Catatonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008140:Lorazepam
keywords: Catatonia; General hospital psychiatry; Older adults; Prevalence; Prognosis