Cannabis Was the Most Common Substance Linked to Catatonic Episodes in a Large London Study

Of 108 substance-related catatonic episodes, cannabis was linked to 31 of 54 intoxication-related episodes and 37 of 50 chronic use-related episodes. Substance-related catatonia occurred in younger patients (mean age 31.3 vs 35.7) and more often in men (74% vs 54.3%). The number of substance-related episodes increased between 2007 and 2016.

Retrospective cross-sectional study using electronic health records from a large London secondary mental health trust. Identified all catatonic episodes and categorized them as substance-related based on positive urine drug screens, ICD-10 substance use diagnoses, or documented use within two weeks of the episode.

Catatonia is a serious psychiatric emergency that can be life-threatening. Identifying cannabis as the most commonly implicated substance helps clinicians consider substance-related causes and adjust treatment accordingly.

As cannabis use increases globally, understanding its connection to serious psychiatric emergencies like catatonia becomes more important. The rising trend in substance-related catatonic episodes over a decade suggests this is a growing clinical concern.

Retrospective study relying on clinical documentation, which likely underestimates true substance involvement. Cannot establish causation between substance use and catatonia. Single-site study in London limits generalizability. Concurrent substance use made attribution to specific substances difficult in some cases.