Unveiling the prognosis of adult Catatonia: A systematic review

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome observed in psychiatric and physical conditions. Linked to neuroinflammation, schizophrenia spectrum disorders remain its principal diagnostic context. Short-term outcomes are favourable with prompt treatment. Long-term prognosis remains poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and mortality rates in individuals with catatonia.

We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD420251027945) searching PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and non-peer-reviewed sources from database inception to July 12, 2025. We included studies of adults diagnosed with catatonia with a minimum 6-month follow-up. Catatonia diagnosis was based on criteria, scales, or clinical judgment. One-year mortality was estimated and compared to general population. Methodological quality was assessed using validated tools (NOS, JBI). Findings were synthesized narratively.

Of 6431 records screened, 29 studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 30,694 patients with catatonia and 11,830 controls. Mean follow-up was 8.1 years. Seventeen studies focused on schizophrenia. Quality of studies was heterogeneous; 58 % showed moderate concerns and 41 % were at high risk of bias. Post-1970s studies reported more episodes, readmissions, and chronicity in catatonic schizophrenia versus other schizophrenia subtypes. Poorer psychiatric outcomes were found when catatonia co-occurred with intellectual disability, depression, or physical illness. Catatonia associated with baseline suicidal ideation (>35 % patients) and follow-up autoimmunity. In 75 % of post-1970s studies, one-year mortality in catatonia cohorts was lower than adjusted population rates.

Catatonia is a marker of poor psychiatric long-term prognosis, without clear link to higher mortality. Early use of effective treatments preventing suicide or psychosis relapses may be considered.