Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting

Background: Catatonia is a psychomotor dysregulation syndrome seen in several illnesses. Uncertainties exist regarding its prevalence and causes. While some research shows a strong association with mood disorders, other data show catatonia to be strongly associated with schizophrenia. Data from low-...

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Main Authors: Kavendren Odayar, Ingrid Eloff, Willem Esterhuysen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2018-08-01
Series:South African Journal of Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1100
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author Kavendren Odayar
Ingrid Eloff
Willem Esterhuysen
author_facet Kavendren Odayar
Ingrid Eloff
Willem Esterhuysen
author_sort Kavendren Odayar
collection DOAJ
description Background: Catatonia is a psychomotor dysregulation syndrome seen in several illnesses. Uncertainties exist regarding its prevalence and causes. While some research shows a strong association with mood disorders, other data show catatonia to be strongly associated with schizophrenia. Data from low- and middle-income countries are required. Aim: To determine the clinical and demographic profile of patients with catatonia that received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) between 01 January 2012 and 31 December 2014. Setting: The study was conducted at Elizabeth Donkin Psychiatric Hospital in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The hospital has mostly patients admitted under the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002 as Involuntary Mental Health Care Users. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Using the hospital ECT database, all files of patients who received ECT for catatonia were identified. Demographics, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, signs of catatonia and other data were abstracted from these files. Results: Forty-two patients received ECT for catatonia, of whom 34 (80.95%) were diagnosed with a psychotic illness. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis (n = 19; 45.24%), followed by psychotic disorder owing to a general medical condition (n = 8; 19.05). Human immunodeficiency deficiency virus was the cause in 75.00% of the patients whose medical conditions caused catatonia. Seven (16.67%) patients had mood disorders, with bipolar I disorder accounting for 6 (14.29%) of these. Conclusion: Psychotic disorders were more frequent than mood disorders in the sample. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis, followed by psychotic disorder owing to a general medical condition.
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spelling doaj.art-d82877aa868f4c508526292d77e1030e2022-12-22T03:02:22ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862018-08-01240e1e510.4102/sajpsychiatry.v24i0.1100408Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African settingKavendren Odayar0Ingrid Eloff1Willem Esterhuysen2Department of Psychiatry, Walter Sisulu UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Walter Sisulu UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Walter Sisulu UniversityBackground: Catatonia is a psychomotor dysregulation syndrome seen in several illnesses. Uncertainties exist regarding its prevalence and causes. While some research shows a strong association with mood disorders, other data show catatonia to be strongly associated with schizophrenia. Data from low- and middle-income countries are required. Aim: To determine the clinical and demographic profile of patients with catatonia that received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) between 01 January 2012 and 31 December 2014. Setting: The study was conducted at Elizabeth Donkin Psychiatric Hospital in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The hospital has mostly patients admitted under the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002 as Involuntary Mental Health Care Users. Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Using the hospital ECT database, all files of patients who received ECT for catatonia were identified. Demographics, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, signs of catatonia and other data were abstracted from these files. Results: Forty-two patients received ECT for catatonia, of whom 34 (80.95%) were diagnosed with a psychotic illness. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis (n = 19; 45.24%), followed by psychotic disorder owing to a general medical condition (n = 8; 19.05). Human immunodeficiency deficiency virus was the cause in 75.00% of the patients whose medical conditions caused catatonia. Seven (16.67%) patients had mood disorders, with bipolar I disorder accounting for 6 (14.29%) of these. Conclusion: Psychotic disorders were more frequent than mood disorders in the sample. Schizophrenia was the most common diagnosis, followed by psychotic disorder owing to a general medical condition.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1100Public SpeakingCatatoniaLimited TreatmentLow-Middle Income CountriesPoor AccessElectroconvulsive TherapyPublic HealthPatientsCatatonia, Electroconvulsive TherapySouth Africa
spellingShingle Kavendren Odayar
Ingrid Eloff
Willem Esterhuysen
Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
South African Journal of Psychiatry
Public Speaking
Catatonia
Limited Treatment
Low-Middle Income Countries
Poor Access
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Public Health
Patients
Catatonia, Electroconvulsive Therapy
South Africa
title Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
title_full Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
title_fullStr Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
title_full_unstemmed Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
title_short Clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a South African setting
title_sort clinical and demographic profile of catatonic patients who received electroconvulsive therapy in a south african setting
topic Public Speaking
Catatonia
Limited Treatment
Low-Middle Income Countries
Poor Access
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Public Health
Patients
Catatonia, Electroconvulsive Therapy
South Africa
url https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1100
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