Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, Limoges, France.
Published: October 2016
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Introduction: Despite the increased recognition of catatonia in children and adolescents, no specific assessment instrument has been validated in this population.
Method: Within the context of a prospective study on catatonia, we developed the Pediatric Catatonia Rating Scale (PCRS, maximum score=60), adapted from the Bush and Francis Catatonia Rating Scale for its use in child and adolescent inpatients. We assessed the psychometric properties of the PCRS by measuring its internal consistency, construct validity, and factor structure. Bivariate analyses were performed to compare the different diagnostic patient groups across the extracted factors.
Results: Internal consistency was moderate (Cronbach's α for total score=0.67) suggesting multidimensionality. Multiple factors underlie the PCRS items, as revealed by factor analysis. Four distinct dimensions of catatonic symptoms were identified and accounted for 44% of total variance: a "negative withdrawal" factor (with mutism, negativism, and social withdrawal), a "catalepsy" factor (with posturing and waxy flexibility), an "abnormal movements" factor (with mannerisms and stereotypes) and an "echo phenomenon" factor (with echolalia and echopraxia). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the PCRS performance in discriminating individuals with catatonia vs. those without catatonia was excellent for a threshold≥9 (Area Under the Curve=0.983) in this sample.
Discussion: These results support the validity of the PCRS among children and adolescent inpatients. With regard to such analyses, the internal structure of catatonic syndrome in children and adolescents is roughly comparable with the adult form, except the lack of a "hyperactive/excitement" dimension.
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis stands as the most prevalent form of autoimmune encephalitis, primarily affecting young patients and exhibiting a higher incidence among females. Patients frequently present with psychiatric symptoms or cognitive impairments such as speech disturbances, decreased level of consciousness, autonomic dysfunction, as well as seizures, dyskinesias, and catatonia due to overactivation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors. To date, there is no gold standard for the diagnosis of catatonia; however, a few rating scales exist to measure this phenomenon, with the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale being the most commonly used due to its validity, reliability, and ease of application.
Background: Catatonia is an underdiagnosed neuropsychiatric condition, with only a few studies focusing on medical sequalae among elderly populations. Delayed treatment results in complications with high morbidity and mortality. Among elderly individuals, one such complication is urinary retention.
Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by abnormal psychomotor disturbance, which poses a diagnostic and treatment challenge to clinicians. It is a life-threatening condition in its severe form, termed malignant and characterised by hyperthermia and autonomic disturbances. Early recognition and treatment are important in its management.
Introduction: Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by significant disturbances in motor, cognitive, and affective functioning and that is frequently under-diagnosed. To enhance clinical detection of catatonia, this study aimed to develop a rapid, sensitive Catatonia Quick Screen (CQS) using a reduced set of catatonic signs to facilitate screening in adult and pediatric patients.
Methods: Data were derived from two retrospective cohorts totaling 446 patients (254 adults, 192 children) who screened positive for catatonia using the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument (BFCSI).
