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Smith JR, York T, Baldwin I, Fuchs C, Fricchione G, Luccarelli J. Diagnostic features of paediatric catatonia: multisite retrospective cohort study. BJPsych Open 2024; 10:e96. [PMID: 38686558 PMCID: PMC11060083 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2024.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterised by psychomotor changes that can affect individuals across the lifespan. Although features of catatonia have been described in adults, the most common clinical symptoms among paediatric patients with catatonia are not well characterised. AIMS The goal of this study was to characterise the symptoms of catatonia demonstrated by paediatric patients, and to explore demographic and diagnostic factors associated with greater catatonia severity. METHOD We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study, from 1 January 2018 to 6 January 2023, of patients aged 18 and younger with a clinical diagnosis of catatonia and symptom assessment using the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS). RESULTS A total of 143 patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 15 (interquartile range: 13-16) years and 66 (46.2%) patients were female. Neurodevelopmental disabilities were present in 55 (38.5%) patients. Patients demonstrated a mean of 6.0 ± 2.1 signs of catatonia on the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Item, with a mean BFCRS score of 15.0 ± 5.9. Among the 23 items of the BFCRS, six were present in >50% of patients (staring, mutism, immobility/stupor, withdrawal, posturing/catalepsy, rigidity), and four were present in <20% of cases (waxy flexibility, mitgehen, gegenhalten, grasp reflex). In an adjusted model, patients with neurodevelopmental disorders demonstrated greater BFCRS severity than those with other diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Catatonia was diagnosed in a range of mental health conditions. Further research is needed to define optimal diagnostic criteria for catatonia in paediatric patients, and clarify the clinical course of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R. Smith
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center at Village of Vanderbilt, Tennessee, USA; and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tasia York
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center at Village of Vanderbilt, Tennessee, USA
| | - Isaac Baldwin
- Division of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, USA
| | - Catherine Fuchs
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center at Village of Vanderbilt, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gregory Fricchione
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA; and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Luccarelli
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA; and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
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Hirjak D, Brandt GA, Fritze S, Kubera KM, Northoff G, Wolf RC. Distribution and frequency of clinical criteria and rating scales for diagnosis and assessment of catatonia in different study types. Schizophr Res 2024; 263:93-98. [PMID: 36610862 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A comprehensive assessment of catatonic symptoms is decisive for diagnosis, neuronal correlates, and evaluation of treatment response and prognosis of catatonia. Studies conducted so far used different cut-off criteria and clinical rating scales to assess catatonia. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to examine the frequency and distribution of diagnostic criteria and clinical rating scales for assessing catatonia that were used in scientific studies so far. METHODS We conducted a systematic review using PubMed searching for articles using catatonia rating scales/criteria published from January 1st 1952 (introduction of catatonic schizophrenia to first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM]) up to December 5th, 2022. RESULTS 1928 articles were considered for analysis. 1762 (91,39 %) studies used one and 166 (8,61 %) used ≥2 definitions of catatonia. However, 979 (50,7 %) articles did not report any systematic assessment of catatonia. As for clinical criteria, DSM criteria were used by the majority of studies (n = 290; 14.0 %), followed by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria (n = 61; 2.9 %). The Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) was found to be by far the most frequently utilized scale (n = 464; 22.4 % in the respective years), followed by Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale (NCRS) (n = 31; 1.5 % in the respective years). CONCLUSION DSM and ICD criteria as well as BFCRS and NCRS were most frequently utilized and can therefore be recommended as valid instruments for the assessment of catatonia symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Hirjak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Geva A Brandt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Fritze
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katharina M Kubera
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Christian Wolf
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Mastellari T, Saint-Dizier C, Fovet T, Geoffroy PA, Rogers J, Lamer A, Amad A. Exploring seasonality in catatonia diagnosis: Evidence from a large-scale population study. Psychiatry Res 2024; 331:115652. [PMID: 38071881 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
Catatonia is a severe psychomotor syndrome mainly associated with psychiatric disorders, such as mood disorders and schizophrenia. Seasonal patterns have been described for these psychiatric disorders, and a previous study conducted in South London showed for the first time a seasonal pattern in the onset of catatonia. In this study, we aim to extend those findings to a larger national sample of patients admitted to French metropolitan hospitals, between 2015 and 2022, and to perform subgroup analyses by the main associated psychiatric disorder. A total of 6225 patients diagnosed with catatonia were included. A seasonal pattern for catatonia diagnosis was described, using cosinor models. Two peaks of diagnoses for catatonic cases were described in March and around September-October. Depending on the associated psychiatric disorder, the seasonality of catatonia diagnosis differed. In patients suffering with mood disorders, peaks of catatonia diagnosis were found in March and July. For patients suffering with schizophrenia, no seasonal pattern was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Mastellari
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Chloé Saint-Dizier
- Fédération Régionale de Recherche en Santé Mentale et Psychiatrie, Hauts-de-France, France; Univ. Lille, Faculté Ingénierie et Management de la Santé, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Thomas Fovet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pierre-Alexis Geoffroy
- Département de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, AP-HP, GHU Paris Nord, DMU Neurosciences, Hôpital Bichat - Claude Bernard, F-75018 Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, FHU I2-D2, F-75019 Paris, France; GHU Paris - Psychiatry & Neurosciences, 1 rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Jonathan Rogers
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Antoine Lamer
- Fédération Régionale de Recherche en Santé Mentale et Psychiatrie, Hauts-de-France, France; Univ. Lille, Faculté Ingénierie et Management de la Santé, Lille F-59000, France; Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694 - METRICS: Évaluation des Technologies de Santé et des Pratiques Médicales, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Ali Amad
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
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Oldham MA. Describing the features of catatonia: A comparative phenotypic analysis. Schizophr Res 2024; 263:82-92. [PMID: 35995651 PMCID: PMC9938840 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catatonia is widely under-detected, and the many differences across catatonia rating scales and diagnostic criteria could be a key reason why clinicians have a hard time knowing what catatonia looks like and what constitutes each of its features. METHODS This review begins by discussing the nature of catatonia diagnosis, its evolution in ICD and DSM, and different approaches to scoring. The central analysis then provides a descriptive survey of catatonia's individual signs across scales and diagnostic criteria. The goal of this survey is to characterize distinctions across scales and diagnostic criteria that can introduce variance into catatonia caseness. RESULTS Diagnostic criteria for catatonia in DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 are broadly aligned in terms of which items are included, item definitions and number of items required for diagnosis; however, the lack of item thresholds is a fundamental limitation. Many distinctions across scales and criteria could contribute to diagnostic discordance. DISCUSSION Clear, consistent definitions for catatonia features are essential for reliable detection. Of available scales, Bush-Francis and Northoff can be converted to diagnostic criteria with limited modification. Bush-Francis is the most efficient, with a screening instrument, videographic resources and standardized clinical assessment. Northoff offers the most detailed assessment and uniquely emphasizes emotional and volitional disturbances in catatonia. CONCLUSIONS The field's understanding of the catatonia phenotype has advanced considerably over the past few decades. However, this review reveals many important limitations in the ICD and DSM as well as differences across scales and criteria that stand in the way of reliable catatonia detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Oldham
- University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd. Box PSYCH, Rochester, NY 14642.
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Reinfeld S, Gill P. Diagnostic overshadowing clouding the efficient recognition of pediatric catatonia: a case series. CNS Spectr 2023; 28:587-591. [PMID: 36440510 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852922001158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric condition that causes disruption of movement, emotion, and behaviors. Children and adults with underlying psychiatric conditions are particularly susceptible to developing catatonia, which may result in medical and psychiatric complications. Although catatonia research has been growing at a rapid rate in the last 20 years, it continues to be met with inefficiencies in its diagnosis and incertitude in its treatment. In the pediatric population, catatonia is plagued by diagnostic overshadowing, where the catatonia is erroneously attributed to existing pathologies that lead to a prolonged disease state. This paper describes three pediatric patients with catatonia that fell victim to diagnostic overshadowing. More rigorous training and education are imperative to improve the efficient recognition and treatment of children with catatonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Reinfeld
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Poonamdeep Gill
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Hosseini P, Whincup R, Devan K, Ghanem DA, Fanshawe JB, Saini A, Cross B, Vijay A, Mastellari T, Vivekananda U, White S, Brunnhuber F, Zandi MS, David AS, Carter B, Oliver D, Lewis G, Fry C, Mehta PR, Stanton B, Rogers JP. The role of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in determining the aetiology of catatonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 56:101808. [PMID: 36636294 PMCID: PMC9829703 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome that has a wide range of aetiologies. Determining whether catatonia is due to a medical or psychiatric cause is important for directing treatment but is clinically challenging. We aimed to ascertain the performance of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in determining whether catatonia has a medical or psychiatric cause, conventionally defined. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy (PROSPERO CRD42021239027), Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and AMED were searched from inception to May 11, 2022 for articles published in peer-reviewed journals that reported EEG findings in catatonia of a medical or psychiatric origin and were reported in English, French, or Italian. Eligible study types were clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, case series, and case reports. The reference standard was the final clinical diagnosis. Data extraction was conducted using individual patient-level data, where available, by two authors. We prespecified two types of studies to overcome the limitations anticipated in the data: larger studies (n ≥ 5), which were suitable for formal meta-analytic methods but generally lacked detailed information about participants, and smaller studies (n < 5), which were unsuitable for formal meta-analytic methods but had detailed individual patient level data, enabling additional sensitivity analyses. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool for larger studies, and with a published tool designed for case reports and series for smaller studies. The primary outcomes were sensitivity and specificity, which were derived using a bivariate mixed-effects regression model. FINDINGS 355 studies were included, spanning 707 patients. Of the 12 larger studies (5 cohort studies and 7 case series), 308 patients were included with a mean age of 48.2 (SD = 8.9) years. 85 (52.8%) were reported as male and 99 had catatonia due to a general medical condition. In the larger studies, we found that an abnormal EEG predicted a medical cause of catatonia with a sensitivity of 0.82 (95% CI 0.67-0.91) and a specificity of 0.66 (95% CI 0.45-0.82) with an I 2 of 74% (95% CI 42-100%). The area under the summary ROC curve offered excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.83). The positive likelihood ratio was 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-4.1) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.28 (95% CI 0.15-0.51). Only 5 studies had low concerns in terms of risk of bias and applicability, but a sensitivity analysis limited to these studies was similar to the main analysis. Among the 343 smaller studies, 399 patients were included, resulting in a sensitivity of 0.76 (95% CI 0.71-0.81), specificity of 0.67 (0.57-0.76) and AUC = 0.71 (95% CI 0.67-0.76). In multiple sensitivity analyses, the results were robust to the exclusion of reports of studies and individuals considered at high risk of bias. Features of limbic encephalitis, epileptiform discharges, focal abnormality, or status epilepticus were highly specific to medical catatonia, but features of encephalopathy had only moderate specificity and occurred in 23% of the cases of psychiatric catatonia in smaller studies. INTERPRETATION In cases of diagnostic uncertainty, the EEG should be used alongside other investigations to ascertain whether the underlying cause of catatonia is medical. The main limitation of this review is the differing thresholds for considering an EEG abnormal between studies. FUNDING Wellcome Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paris Hosseini
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Karrish Devan
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Aman Saini
- Medical School, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Apoorva Vijay
- GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tomas Mastellari
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Inserm U1172, CHU de Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition (LilNCog), Université de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Umesh Vivekananda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology UCL, London, UK
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Steven White
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Franz Brunnhuber
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael S. Zandi
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony S. David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ben Carter
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dominic Oliver
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Glyn Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Charles Fry
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Puja R. Mehta
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Biba Stanton
- Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Neuropsychiatry Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jonathan P. Rogers
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Corresponding author. UCL Division of Psychiatry, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, Bloomsbury, London W1T 7NF, UK.
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