Benzodiazepines in catatonia associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

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.

• Authors: Hung-Yu Wang, Tiao-Lai Huang
• Journal: Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences (Psychiatry Clin Neurosci) Vol. 60 Issue 6 Pg. 768-70 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 1323-1316 [Print] Australia
• PMID: 17109714 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• GABA Modulators
• Prednisolone
• Lorazepam
• Diazepam

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Catatonia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Diazepam (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Electroencephalography
• Female
• GABA Modulators (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Lorazepam (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (complications)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed