Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria (Jul 2014)

Catatonia due to systemic lupus erythematosus

  • Francisco de Assis Pinto Cabral Júnior Rabello,
  • Daniel Calich Luz,
  • Evânia Claudino Queiroga de Figueiredo,
  • Edmundo de Oliveira Gaudêncio,
  • Larissa Cristina Queiroga Mendonça Coutinho,
  • Waldeneide Fernandes de Azevedo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0047-2085000000022
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 63, no. 2
pp. 177 – 181

Abstract

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Objectives Discuss neuropsychiatric aspects and differential diagnosis of catatonic syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a pediatric patient. Methods Single case report. Result A 13-year-old male, after two months diagnosed with SLE, started to present psychotic symptoms (behavioral changes, hallucinations and delusions) that evolved into intense catatonia. During hospitalization, neuroimaging, biochemical and serological tests for differential diagnosis with metabolic encephalopathy, neurological tumors and neuroinfections, among other tests, were performed. The possibility of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, steroid-induced psychosis and catatonia was also evaluated. A complete reversal of catatonia was achieved after using benzodiazepines in high doses, associated with immunosuppressive therapy for lupus, which speaks in favor of catatonia secondary to autoimmune encephalitis due to lupus. Conclusion Although catatonia rarely is the initial clinical presentation of SLE, the delay in recognizing the syndrome can be risky, having a negative impact on prognosis. Benzodiazepines have an important role in the catatonia resolution, especially when associated with parallel specific organic base cause treatment. The use of neuroleptics should be avoided for the duration of the catatonic syndrome as it may cause clinical deterioration.

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