Pathophysiological Hypothesis of COVID-19 Psychosis.

ABSTRACT: In December 2019, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in patients with pneumonia of unknown cause. Although respiratory symptoms mainly characterize infection by this virus, neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease are becoming more and more frequent. Among them, the appearance of psychotic outbreaks in patients experiencing the infection or after a short time after it has resolved is remarkable. This narrative review aims to describe the possible relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the onset of psychosis by developing the neurotropic capacities of the virus and analyzing the neurobiology of psychoses.

The prevalence of sleep paralysis in medical students in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of sleep paralysis (SP) in medical students from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). Materials and Methods: An ad hoc questionnaire based on the diagnosis of SP and a demographic survey was electronically presented to students of Internal Medicine at the School of Medicine of the UBA. The respondents answered both questionnaires using Google Forms®. Results: The prevalence of SP was 40.7% (95% CI 33.5-47.8). A higher percentage of the respondents (76%) reported experiencing SP-related anxiety. An association between self-perceived quality of sleep and the incidence of SP was found (χ2: 12.712, P = 0.002). The highest frequency was hypnopompic SP (55.55%), and the highest percentage (55.4%) suffered from SP less than once every 6 months. Most respondents (59.5%) reported having started with SP symptoms after 18 years of age, and the highest percentage (66.2%) had exacerbated their symptoms at college. The frequency of the Incubus phenomenon was 14.5% (95% CI 6.2-23). Most respondents (70.8%) denied the association of SP with religious or paranormal beliefs. Conclusion: SP is highly prevalent in medical students and is associated with poor sleep habits and perceived poor sleep quality. Clinicians should be aware of this parasomnia to avoid a misdiagnosis of psychosis and inform sufferers of the nature of SP.

Catatonia and Delirium: Assessment of Comorbidity, Prevalence, and Therapeutic Response in Medically Ill Inpatients From a University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Catatonia is a cluster of motor features present in multiple psychiatric and clinical diseases. It may be confused with delirium because both entities are classified according to the type and degree of psychomotor activity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, criteria for catatonia secondary to medical conditions exclude comorbid catatonia and delirium; besides, there have been increasing reports about a comorbid presentation. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbid catatonia and delirium, the therapeutic response to lorazepam, and the clinical characteristics of patients with an earlier diagnosis of delirium. METHODS: A total of 120 consecutive patients at a university hospital with an earlier diagnosis of delirium were evaluated using the Delirium Scale (confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit) and the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale for catatonia. In cases of a positive diagnosis of catatonia or catatonia/delirium, a therapeutic trial with intramuscular lorazepam was performed. FINDINGS: Thirty-one patients (26%) were positive for both catatonia and delirium, and 8 patients (7%) had catatonia. Sixty-six patients (55%) were positive only for delirium, and 5 patients (4%) were negative for delirium and catatonia. Lorazepam tests were applied on 22 patients. One in 9 patients with catatonia/delirium responded positively to lorazepam. Patients with catatonia had a 60% positive response rate. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on lorazepam use in catatonia-delirium patients; however, further studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of lorazepam in these patients. Catatonia and catatonia/delirium are underdiagnosed in inpatient wards and should be routinely assessed in patients with an altered mental status.

Psychotic Symptoms After SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

ABSTRACT: This case series reports three middle-aged male patients with no prior history of psychiatric disorders who developed psychotic symptoms with manic characteristics after COVID-19 infection. They presented mystic and paranoid delusions associated with euphoria, logorrheic, insomnia, and bizarre behaviors. Two of them required psychiatric hospitalization and one received corticosteroids. Treatment with antipsychotic medication improved their symptoms in a few weeks. This case series reports the new-onset psychosis probably due to COVID-19 infection. Pathogenetic speculation about the probable causes of COVID-19 psychosis, such as inflammatory reaction and corticosteroid use, was done. Moreover, other probable causes of manic psychosis, such as late-onset bipolar disorder, were also considered and ruled out. There is a need for more research to determine the causality between psychotic symptoms and COVID-19 infection.

Conductas suicidas en adolescentes: factores de riesgo, fisiopatología y el uso de litio como terapia preventiva / SUICIDAL BEHAVIOURS IN ADOLESCENTS: RISK FACTORS, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND THE USE OF LITHIUM AS A PREVENTIVE THERAPY

El suicidio en adolescentes representa una problemática de salud de suma importancia en la sociedad. El presente trabajo analiza los factores de riesgo asociados a la conducta suicida, sus correlaciones fisiopatológicas y su tratamiento con carbonato de litio. Los factores de riesgo asociados incluyen: el estrés, las crisis vitales propias de la población de estudio, y factores externos como el uso de pantallas y consumo de medios de comunicación. A su vez, las patologías psiquiátricas de base, en especial el trastorno depresivo mayor, se relacionan de manera positiva con conductas suicidas en adolescentes. Las conductas suicidas estarían vinculadas con cambios morfológicos y moleculares en el sistema nervioso. Los estados proinflamatorios mediados principalmente por la enzima glucógeno sintasa quinasa 3 beta (GSK3 ), se observarían con mayor frecuencia en sujetos con conductas suicidas. A su vez, la disminución de la expresión del factor neurotrófico derivado del cerebro (BDNF) a nivel central predispondría a mayor incidencia de suicidio. La alteración del tono serotoninérgico central sería otro factor de riesgo de suicidio en adolescentes. Las alteraciones serotoninérgicas se vincularían con conductas suicidas de tipo violentas, agresivas e impulsivas, con alta prevalencia en población adolescente. El presente trabajo muestra que el efecto anti-suicida del litio estaría mediado por la inhibición de la GSK3 , como así también por el aumento del tono serotoninérgico. De esta forma el litio disminuiría el estado proinflamatorio central, generaría un aumento de BDNF (con incremento de la supervivencia neuronal), con la subsecuente modulación de la respuesta serotoninérgica. Dada la alta prevalencia de suicidio en dicha población, es necesario contar con opciones terapéuticas eficaces y seguras, respaldados por ensayos clínicos que respalden su uso.

Suicide in adolescents represents a critical health problem in society. The present work analyzes the risk factors associated with suicidal behavior, their pathophysiological correlations, and their treatment with lithium carbonate. Associated risk factors include stress, vital crises typical of the study population, and external factors such as the use of screens and consumption of communication media. In turn, primary psychiatric pathologies, especially major depressive disorder, are positively related to suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Suicidal behaviors would be linked to morphological and molecular changes in the nervous system. Pro-inflammatory states mediated mainly by the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3 ) would be observed more frequently in subjects with suicidal behaviors. In turn, decreased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at the central level would predispose to a higher incidence of suicide. The alteration of the central serotonergic tone would be another risk factor for suicide in adolescents. Serotonergic alterations would be associated with violent, aggressive and impulsive suicidal behaviors, with a high prevalence in the adolescent population.The anti-suicidal effect of lithium might be mediated by the inhibition of GSK3 , as well as the increase in serotonergic tone. In this way, lithium might decrease the central pro-inflammatory state, generate an increase in BDNF (with increased neuronal survival), and subsequently modify the serotonergic response. Given the high prevalence of suicide in this population, it is necessary to have effective and safe therapeutic options supported by clinical trials that support their use.

Síndrome Pos-COVID y Síndrome de Fatiga Crónica: ¿Dos caras de la misma moneda? / POST-COVID SYNDROME AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

El síndrome de fatiga crónica es una enfermedad caracterizada, principalmente, por la manifestación de la fatiga, el dolor muscular difuso, y alteraciones en el sueño, en un periodo de no menos de 6 meses y que no son explicables por alguna causa. Es llamativo que, luego de un periodo de tiempo de padecer la COVID-19, los pacientes presenten síntomas similares a los hallados en el síndrome de fatiga crónica. A esta afección se la denomino síndrome pos-COVID. Los virus son los principales sospechosos en la aparición de ambos síndromes, estos podrían ocasionar la generación de daño mitocondrial, una neuroinflamación, alteración en el sistema glinfático o la disfunción en el eje hipotálamo-pituitario-adrenal entre otros. Dichos mecanismos serían los implicados en la aparición de los síntomas que padecen los pacientes con estos síndromes. El objetivo de esta revisión literaria es analizar y describir los posibles mecanismos que explicarían la manifestación de los síntomas del síndrome de fatiga crónica en los pacientes que hayan sufrido la COVID-19. Hasta el momento no existen tratamientos totalmente efectivos para erradicar los síntomas en ambos síndromes. Dado el abanico de síntomas que padecen estos pacientes, el enfoque terapéutico debe ser interdisciplinario para tratar de mejorar su calidad de vida.

Prevalence of stress, burnout syndrome, anxiety and depression among physicians of a teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. / Prevalencia de estrés, síndrome de desgaste profesional, ansiedad y depresión en médicos de un hospital universitario durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Health care workers experience a tremendous strain while performing their activities, very frequently leading to stress, burnout syndrome, and psychopathological impact. The COVID-19 pandemic may cause physicians to suffer these effects even to a greater extent. Our objective was to describe the frequency of stress, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic, and analyze the associations with different independent outcome measures. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted 2 months after the lockdown was established in Argentina. Clinical specialists, surgeons, emergency physicians, and those with no direct contact with patients were surveyed using a sociodemographic questionnaire and 3 self-administered inventories: Health Professions Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of stress was 93.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 90.33-96.2), burnout syndrome 73.5 % (95 % CI: 68.2-78.4), anxiety 44 % (95 % CI: 38.4-49.8), and depression 21.9 % (95 % CI: 17.3-26.9). No association was observed between the frequency and medical specialty. The frequency of burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression was significantly higher among residents and physicians working in the emergency department. CONCLUSIONS: Residents and emergency physicians working 24-hour shifts showed significantly higher percentages of burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression compared to staff and head physicians. These findings may be associated with a higher workload and less experience. It is compulsory to take preventive and therapeutic measures to protect those in the pandemic front line.

Introducción. Los trabajadores de la salud se encuentran sometidos a una gran tensión en el desarrollo de sus actividades, lo que genera alta frecuencia de estrés, desgaste laboral e impacto psicopatológico. La pandemia de COVID-19 podría provocar un incremento de estas entidades en los médicos. El objetivo fue describir la frecuencia de estrés, síndrome de desgaste profesional (burnout), ansiedad y depresión durante la pandemia, y analizar las asociaciones con distintas variables independientes. Métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal, realizado dos meses después del inicio de la cuarentena en Argentina. Se encuestó a médicos de especialidades clínicas, quirúrgicas, solo de emergencias, y a aquellos sin contacto directo con pacientes, mediante un cuestionario sociodemográfico y tres inventarios autoadministrados: Health Professions Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory y la Escala de ansiedad y depresión hospitalaria. Resultados. La prevalencia de estrés fue del 93,7 % (IC95 %: 90,33-96,2), burnout 73,5 % (IC95 %: 68,2-78,4), ansiedad 44 % (IC95 %: 38,4- 49,8) y depresión 21,9 % (IC95 %: 17,3-26,9). No se observó asociación entre la frecuencia y el tipo de especialidad realizada. La frecuencia de burnout, ansiedad y depresión fue significativamente mayor en los médicos residentes y en aquellos que trabajan en emergencias. Conclusiones. Los médicos residentes y quienes trabajan en emergencias en turnos de 24 horas mostraron porcentajes significativamente más altos de burnout, ansiedad y depresión, en comparación con médicos de planta y con aquellos en posiciones de liderazgo. Estos hallazgos pueden estar asociados con una mayor carga de trabajo y una menor experiencia. Es mandatorio tomar medidas preventivas y terapéuticas para preservar a quienes hacen frente a esta pandemia. Palabras clave: COVID-19.

Efficacy and safety of opioid therapy guided by pharmacogenetics: a systematic review.

Aim: To perform a systematic review to determine the efficacy/safety of PGx-guided opioid therapy for chronic/postoperative pain. Materials & methods: We searched PubMed and other specialized databases. Articles were considered if they compared the efficacy/safety of PGx-guided opioid therapy versus usual care. The risk of bias assessment was performed using Cochrane tools. Results: A total of 3794 records were retrieved. Only five were included for data extraction. A lower requirement of analgesics during postoperative in the PGx-guided intervention arm was reported in two studies. Also, two studies reported significant pain improvement in favor of the PGx-guided therapy when analyzing the subgroup of patients with a high-risk CYP2D6 phenotype. Conclusion: Despite the findings described, information on the efficacy/safety of this intervention is scarce.

Prevalencia de estrés, síndrome de desgaste profesional, ansiedad y depresión en médicos de un hospital universitario durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Prevalence of stress, burnout syndrome, anxiety and depression among physicians of a teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción. Los trabajadores de la salud se encuentran sometidos a una gran tensión en el desarrollo de sus actividades, lo que genera alta frecuencia de estrés, desgaste laboral e impacto psicopatológico. La pandemia de COVID-19 podría provocar un incremento de estas entidades en los médicos. El objetivo fue describir la frecuencia de estrés, síndrome de desgaste profesional (burnout), ansiedad y depresión durante la pandemia, y analizar las asociaciones con distintas variables independientes. Métodos. Estudio observacional, transversal, realizado dos meses después del inicio de la cuarentena en Argentina. Se encuestó a médicos de especialidades clínicas, quirúrgicas, solo de emergencias, y a aquellos sin contacto directo con pacientes, mediante un cuestionario sociodemográfico y tres inventarios autoadministrados: Health Professions Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory y la Escala de ansiedad y depresión hospitalaria. Resultados. La prevalencia de estrés fue del 93,7 % (IC95 %: 90,33-96,2), burnout 73,5 % (IC95 %: 68,2-78,4), ansiedad 44 % (IC95 %: 38,4-49,8) y depresión 21,9 % (IC95 %: 17,3-26,9). No se observó asociación entre la frecuencia y el tipo de especialidad realizada. La frecuencia de burnout, ansiedad y depresión fue significativamente mayor en los médicos residentes y en aquellos que trabajan en emergencias. Conclusiones. Los médicos residentes y quienes trabajan en emergencias en turnos de 24 horas mostraron porcentajes significativamente más altos de burnout, ansiedad y depresión, en comparación con médicos de planta y con aquellos en posiciones de liderazgo. Estos hallazgos pueden estar asociados con una mayor carga de trabajo y una menor experiencia. Es mandatorio tomar medidas preventivas y terapéuticas para preservar a quienes hacen frente a esta pandemia.

Introduction. Health care workers experience a tremendous strain while performing their activities, very frequently leading to stress, burnout syndrome, and psychopathological impact. The COVID-19 pandemic may cause physicians to suffer these effects even to a greater extent. Our objective was to describe the frequency of stress, burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression during the pandemic, and analyze the associations with different independent outcome measures. Methods. Observational, cross-sectional study conducted 2 months after the lockdown was established in Argentina. Clinical specialists, surgeons, emergency physicians, and those with no direct contact with patients were surveyed using a sociodemographic questionnaire and 3 self-administered inventories: Health Professions Stress Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results. The prevalence of stress was 93.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 90.33-96.2), burnout syndrome 73.5 % (95 % CI: 68.2-78.4), anxiety 44 % (95 % CI: 38.4-49.8), and depression 21.9 % (95 % CI: 17.3-26.9). No association was observed between the frequency and medical specialty. The frequency of burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression was significantly higher among residents and physicians working in the emergency department. Conclusions. Residents and emergency physicians working 24-hour shifts showed significantly higher percentages of burnout syndrome, anxiety, and depression compared to staff and head physicians. These findings may be associated with a higher workload and less experience. It is compulsory to take preventive and therapeutic measures to protect those in the pandemic front line.

Validación de la Escala de Catatonía de Bush-Francis al idioma castellano. Versión Argentina / The validation of the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale to Spanish. Argentinian version

OBJETIVO: Validar al castellano la escala de diagnóstico y cuantificación de catatonía de Bush-Francis (BFCRS). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Luego del proceso de traducción y aprobación por los autores, se evaluaron las propiedades diagnósticas y psicométricas de la subescala de 14 signos (BFCSI) y la escala de 23 signos (BF-CRS) en pacientes hospitalizados (n = 42; 24 catatónicos y 18 no catatónicos), de un hospital universitario. Los pacientes fueron previamente evaluados utilizando criterios DSM-5 de catatonía, y posteriormente con la versión en castellano de la BFCRS. RESULTADOS: Con la utilización de la BFCSI y BFCRS la discriminación clínica entre pacientes catatónicos y no catatónicos mostró una diferencia significativa. Se utilizó el índice de Kappa para evaluar concordancia entre evaluadores con diferentes valores de corte en la BFCSI. Con un valor de corte ≥ 2 (sugerido por los autores origina-les), el índice Kappa fue de 0,6202. Con valores de corte ≥ 3 y ≥ 4, los índices de Kappa fueron 0,95 y 0,81 respectivamente. Con un valor de corte BFCSI ≥ 3, la sensibilidad del instrumento fue de 83,33con una especificidad de 88,89. El punto de corte ≥ 3 presentó un valor de ROC AREA de 0,8611 (+ - 0,0544); CI 95 % :( 0,75444-0,96778).La BFCRS (23 signos) mostró una correlación de Spearman Rho de 0,9443. Además, DSM-5 y BFCSI mostraron una correlación de Rho Spearman de 0,8002. CONCLUSIÓN: Al igual que la versión original, la versión argentina en castellano de BFCRS posee alta validez, confiabilidad y confiabilidad en la detección de catatonia

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The original scale in English was adapted into Spanish (Argentina) by 2 translators. Diagnostic and Psychometric properties of both subscales (the 14 signs screening tool and the 23 signs of the BFCRS) were assessed in inpatients (n = 42. 24 catatonic and 18 non-catatonic), of a University Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients were previously evaluated for catatonia using DSM-5 criteria and then were appraised with the Spanish version of BFCRS. RESULTS: Using BFCSI and BFCRS, clinical discrimination between catatonic and non-catatonic patients showed significant difference. Kappa interrater agreement was obtained with different cut-off values. When using a cut-off value ≥ 2 (suggest-ed by the original authors) Kappa index was 0,6202. With cut-off values ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 Kappa indexes were 0,95 and 0,81 respectively. A BFCSI cut-off value ≥ 3, an instrument sensitivity of 83,33% and a specificity of 88,89, was achieved, using DSM-5 criteria as referenced test. A cut-off ≥ 3 has and exact value of ROC AREA of 0,8611 (+- 0,0544);CI95%:(0,75444-0,96778). BFCRS (23 signs) showed a Rho spearman ́s correlation of 0,9443. In addition, DSM-5 and BFCSI showed a Rho Spearman ́s correlation of 0,8002.CONCLUSION: Like the original version, the Argentinian Spanish version of BFCRS shows high validity, reliability, and inter-rater reliability indexes for detecting cases of catatonia

Estrés, Agotamiento Profesional y Psicopatología en médicos de planta y con cargos jerárquicos de un Hospital Universitario de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires / STRESS, PROFESSIONAL EXHAUSTION, AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY IN GENERAL PRACTITIONERS AND WITH HIERARCHICAL POSITIONS OF A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES

Si bien el estrés en el trabajo puede afectar a muchas ocupaciones, los profesionales de la salud tienen una mayor predisposición a desarrollarlo. Asimismo, el estrés a largo plazo puede llevar a padecer el Síndrome de Agotameinto Profesional (Burnout). Alguien que padezca alguna de estas entidades puede presentar signos de psicopatología. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de estrés laboral, síndrome de agotamiento profesional generalizado y psicopatología en médicos de planta y con cargos jerárquicos en un Hospital Universitario. La prevalencia de estrés en la muestra analizada fue del 85,95%; la prevalencia del Síndrome de Agotamiento Profesional fue del 72,9% y la psicopatología del 10%. Todos los encuestados con resultados positivos del cuestionario GHQ-12 obtuvieron puntuaciones positivas para el estrés y el síndrome de agotamiento. Por lo tanto, esta situación necesita acciones y soluciones inmediata

Although stress at work can affect many occupations, health professionals have a greater predisposition to develop it. Likewise, long-term stress may lead to suffering from Professional Burnout Syndrome. Someone who suffers from any of these entities may have signs of psychopathology. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of work-related stress, burnout syndrome and psychopathology in staff medical doctors and with hierarchical positions in a University Hospital. The prevalence of stress in the analyzed sample was 85.95%; the prevalence of the Professional Burnout Syndrome was 72.9%, and psychopathology was 10%. All respondents with positive results from the GHQ-12 questionnaire had positive scores for stress and burnout syndrome. Therefore, this situation needs immediate action and solutions

Medical cannabis: Risks related to its indication prior to approval. / Cannabis medicinal: riesgos relacionados con la indicación previa a su aprobación.

In recent years, the interest in medical cannabis prescription has increased significantly. This article provides information about the little scientific basis supporting the prescription of these products for a wide and diverse range of medical conditions. It is critical for any substance to be used in human beings to follow a strict scientific approval protocol, detached from any trend or individual outcome. Before prescribing any drug to human beings, it is necessary to have a clear picture of its uses, especially its safety, which is practically unknown in the case of medical cannabis.

En los últimos años, se ha observado un incremento significativo en el interés por la prescripción del cannabis medicinal. En el siguiente artículo, se informa acerca de la escasa base científica que avala la prescripción de estos compuestos en un listado amplio y diverso de patologías médicas. Se considera fundamental que cualquier sustancia que vaya a ser utilizada en humanos siga un protocolo de aprobación estricto y científico, que pueda desligarse de modas o de resultados individuales. Es necesario que, antes de la prescripción de una droga en personas, deba tenerse un panorama claro de cuáles son los usos del compuesto en cuestión, pero, sobre todo, de su seguridad, que es prácticamente desconocida en el cannabis medicinal.

The validation of the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale to Spanish. Argentinian version.

he present study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS).

Fibromyalgia and dissociative symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with a controversial etiopathogenesis. Patients with FM usually complain of cognitive symptoms, which are described as "fibrofog." These cognitive complaints might be caused partially by dissociative disorders (DD). The aim of this research is to determine the association between FM and DD. METHODS: The authors conducted a case-control study for this purpose, integrated by 3 groups: control (C), patients with rheumatic disorders (R), and patients with FM (FM), who were compared through the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES).The findings are as follows: 42% were taking medications in the FM group, and their differences in scores with those who were not under medications were then considered. In terms of the results, the FM group showed higher scores than both C and R groups (p < 0.05). Patients with FM who were taking antidepressants had lower scores than those who were not (Z-score -8.03; p < 0.05); and finally, 5.71% had a score over 30 (χ2 = 3.73, p = 0.15). CONCLUSION: Patients with FM had higher scores, which might be related to the association of dissociative experiences, lifetime trauma, and victimization. Antidepressants might have some role on dissociative symptoms as well.

Catatonia is not schizophrenia and it is treatable.

Catatonia is a cluster of motor features that appears in many recognized psychiatric illnesses, that according to the DSM-5 it is not linked as a subtype to schizophrenia anymore. The classic signs are mutism, a rigid posture, fixed staring, stereotypic movements, and stupor, which are all part of a broad psychopathology that may be found in affective, thought, neurological, toxic, metabolic and immunological disorders. Despite the many etiologies, catatonia may be a life-threatening condition with a specific treatment. Benzodiazepines are the first line therapeutic option for catatonia, being lorazepam the first-choice drug. Eighty percent of the patients are relieved by the use of barbiturates or benzodiazepines, while in those who fail, an improvement is achieved by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). With more than 60years of use in catatonic patients, ECT has proven to be an effective and safe tool for the treatment of this frequent and sometimes forgotten syndrome.

La hora de oro en la atención de las urgencia psiquiátricas

Esta obra abordalas urgencias psiquiatricas, la farmacologia y el Derecho de los pacientes, nos brinda la comprension de los casos clinicos, que un medico debe atender, desarrollandos cuadros del como es importnte, la forma del abordaje al paciente, con palabras concisa y de facil lectura