Clinical Significance of Delirium With Catatonic Signs in Patients With Neurological Disorders

What is it about?

According to DSM-V the diagnosis of “catatonia” and “delirium” are mutually exclusive. However, it is possible to recognize patients with both conditions. We included 264 patients with delirium. 61 (23%) fulfilled criteria for catatonia and delirium simultaneously. Patients with catatonic delirium showed higher frequencies of viral and anti-NMDAR encephalitis, as compared to patients with delirium without catatonic syndrome. Brain tumors, subarachnoid hemorrhage, acute hydrocephalus, epilepsy, and ischaemic stroke were associated with delirium without catatonic signs. Our study does not support the DSM-V perspective according to which delirium and catatonia are mutually exclusive.

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