The structure of catatonia in depression and depressive-delusional conditions

Abstract

To determine the psychopathological structure of catatonia and its major components in depression and depressive-delusional conditions in affective and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Ninety-six patients (67 women and 29 men), aged 16 to 65 years, with depression and depressive-delusional conditions with catatonic features were examined (ICD-10 - F20, F25, F31, F33). Exploratory factor analysis with MLE data extraction and varimax rotation was used to determine the structure of catatonia. Thirty-one catatonic features were selected for the analysis. Heterogeneity of catatonic syndrome in depression and depressive-delusional conditions has been revealed. Four factors of catatonia have been extracted (KMO test=0.782, Bartlett test: χ2=2098, df=465, p<.001): Agitated (eigenvalue 5.64, 18.2% of variance), Hypokinetic (4.88, 15.7% of variance), Parakinetic (3.84, 12.4% of variance), Proskinetic (3.75, 12.1% of variance). The extracted factors can be considered as the subsyndromes of catatonia in depressive conditions. The agitated factor (31 patients, 32.3%) is manifested by an increase in psychomotor activity. The hypokinetic factor (75 patients, 78.1%) reflects a decrease in reactivity combined with negativism. The parakinetic factor (30 patients, 31.3%) is associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The proskinetic factor (20 patients, 20.8%) doesn't occur separately from other catatonic features in depression and depressive-delusional conditions. The results are partially consistent with earlier investigations in other groups of patients with catatonic features. Schizophrenia is characterized by the presence of parakinetic manifestations of catatonia, the greater severity of hypokinetic manifestations and a higher degree of catatonia polymorphism, in contrast to affective disorders. The results indicate the heterogeneity of catatonia associated with the manifestations of depression and with concomitant symptoms. Catatonic subsyndromes may differ not only phenomenologically, but also neurobiologically.