title: Symptom profile and short term outcome of catatonia: an exploratory clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catatonia is a potentially life-threatening but treatable neuropsychiatric condition. Although considered more common in low income countries, data is particularly sparse in these settings. In this study we explore the symptomatology, treatment, and short-term outcome of catatonia in Ethiopia, a low income country.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective evaluation of patients admitted with a DSM-IV diagnosis of catatonia. Diagnosis of Catatonia and its severity were further assessed with the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty participants, 5 male and 15 female, were included in the study: 15 patients (75 %) had underlying mood disorders, 4 patients (20 %) had schizophrenia and 1 patient (5 %) had general medical condition. The most common catatonic symptoms, occurring in over two-thirds of participants, were mutism, negativism, staring and immobility (stupor). Eighteen (90 %) of the twenty patients were on multiple medications. Antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed medications. ECT was required in seven patients (35.0 %). Dehydration, requiring IV rehydration, and infections were the most important complications ascribed to the catatonia. These occurred in seven patients (25 %). Almost all patients (n = 19/20) were discharged with significant improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the growing consensus that catatonia is most often associated with mood disorders. Overall prognosis appears very good although the occurrence of life-threatening complications underlines the serious nature of catatonia. This has implication for "task-shifted" service scale up plans, which aim to improve treatment coverage by training non-specialist health workers to provide mental health care in low income countries. Further larger scale studies are required to clarify the nature and management, as well as, service requirements for catatonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. binihakim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benyam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Worku
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. abe.wassie@kcl.ac.uk.|Department of Psychological Medicine, Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK. abe.wassie@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Abebaw
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fekadu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002389:Catatonia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents