Benzodiazepines in catatonia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Authors: WANG, HUNG-YU; HUANG, TIAO-LAI

Source: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Volume 60, Number 6, December 2006 , pp. 768-770(3)

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Abstract:

Neuropsychiatric disturbances are found in 50-70% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. However, there are rare cases of catatonia being described in SLE. Some studies have shown the effectiveness of high-dose steroid, plasma exchange and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in lupus catatonia. Herein are described two SLE patients with catatonia who had good response to i.v. diazepam (i.e. relief of catatonia symptoms). Patient 1, with mild cortical atrophy, had great improvement in catatonia symptoms on i.v. diazepam 150 mg during a period of 5 days. Patient 2, without cortical atrophy, had quick response to i.v. diazepam 10-20 mg. Both patients had no recurrence during 6-month follow up. In conclusion, benzodiazepines may play an important role in the treatment of catatonia associated with SLE if patients refuse ECT treatment.

Keywords: benzodiazepines; catatonia; diazepam; electroconvulsive therapy; lorazepam; systemic lupus erythematosus

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2006.01595.x

Publication date: 2006-12-01