Epidemiological Update: Hospital Discharge Rate for Catatonia in Chile, 2021–2024

Abstract

Introduction: Organic catatonic disorder, or catatonia, is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor, behavioral, and affective abnormalities. Clinically, its signs and symptoms include stupor, mutism, rigid posturing, waxy flexibility, mannerisms, stereotypies, agitation, and echolalia or echopraxia. Incidence studies estimate it affects between 5–20% of patients in acute psychiatric inpatient settings. Benzodiazepines—particularly lorazepam—are considered the first-line pharmacological treatment, while electroconvulsive therapy has proven effective in severe or treatment-resistant cases. Objective: To characterize the hospital discharge rate (HDR) due to acute catatonic disorder in Chile between 2021 and 2024. Methodology: Descriptive, cross-sectional ecological study. Data were obtained from the Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE) of Chile. Results: A total of 95 hospital discharges for catatonia were recorded. The HDR was higher among women (0.36) than men (0.14), both per 100,000 inhabitants. The 65–79 age group showed the highest HDR, with 0.40 cases. The average length of hospital stay was 26.84 days for men and 20.72 days for women. Discussion: Although the results show a higher HDR in women, no literature was found supporting a sex-based distribution of catatonia in Chile. However, catatonia is often associated with primary psychiatric disorders, which may relate to the higher prevalence of depression among women, as documented in several studies. Conclusion: This study reveals a low HDR associated with catatonia, underscoring the importance of strengthening strategies for screening, timely diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management in order to improve prognosis and reduce complications linked to this syndrome.