Evaluating catatonia care in the psychiatric emergency room: A retrospective study

Background

Catatonia, characterized by motor, affective, and speech disturbances, is a prevalent yet frequently misdiagnosed syndrome in the psychiatric domain, with reported prevalence ranging from 5% to 18%. This study aimed to ascertain the incidence of catatonia diagnoses and the quality of care provided within the psychiatric emergency room (ER), while also evaluating psychiatrists' general awareness of the syndrome through a survey.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of psychiatric ER records spanning June 18th to August 20th, 2022, was conducted to assess catatonia diagnosis frequency and treatment approaches. A Google Survey was distributed to full-time psychiatrists in the ER, querying their knowledge about catatonia prevalence, diagnostic modalities, and treatment strategies.

Results

Analysis of 1118 patient records revealed a catatonia diagnosis rate of 0.36% (four cases) in the psychiatric ER. Remarkably, 75% of diagnosed patients were assessed by a single psychiatrist among nine available. Survey responses from all nine ER psychiatrists highlighted that 44% considered encountering catatonia as infrequent, while 33% regarded it as generally rare. Furthermore, 33% expressed willingness to employ potent antipsychotic interventions.

Conclusion

The study revealed a markedly low catatonia detection rate in the psychiatric ER, coupled with inconsistent treatment approaches. Survey findings reflected a considerable proportion of psychiatrists holding outdated perceptions of catatonia.