Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T09:01:16.637Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Do cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome cluster?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Phil Huckle
Affiliation:
Glanrhyd Hospital, Bridgend, Mid Glam
Alexander Kellam
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital, Park Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff, South Glam. CF4 7XB, Wales
Peter Williams
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff, South Glam
Amgad Tanaghow
Affiliation:
Sully Hospital, Cardiff
Alan Lloyd
Affiliation:
Glanrhyd Hospital, Bridgend, Mid Glam

Abstract

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially fatal reaction to neuroleptic medication. Both the incidence and aetiology of the NMS are matters of considerable controversy. We present a clustering of cases of NMS in a distinct geographical area in South Wales. Five cases were reported in an eight month period in 1990 and more recently, a second cluster of three cases occurred in a three week period in November, 1991. We discuss some of the possible explanations for this apparent “epidemic” of cases in South Wales.

Type
Clinical & Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Keck, PE, Pople, HG, McElroy, SL. Declining frequency of NMS in a hospital population. Am J Psychiatry 1991; 148: 880882.Google Scholar
2.Addonozzio, G, Susman, VL, Roth, SD. Symptoms of NMS in 82 consecutive in-patients. Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143: 15871590.Google Scholar
3.Kellam, AMP. The (frequently) neuroleptic (potentially) malignant syndrome. Br J Psychiatry 1990; 157: 169173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Pope, HG, Keck, PE, McElroy, SL. Frequency and presentation of NMS in a large psychiatry hospital. Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143: 12271233.Google Scholar
5.Shalev, A, Hermesh, H, Munitz, H. The role of external heat load in triggering the NMS. Am J Psychiatry 1988; 145: 110112.Google Scholar
6.Keck, PE, Pope, HG, Cohen, BM, McElroy, SL, Nierenberg, AA. Risk factors for NMS. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1989; 46: 914918.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Otani, K, Horiuchi, M, Kaneko, S, Fukushima, Y. Is the predisposition to NMS genetically transmitted? Br J Psychiatry 1991; 158: 850853.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Koponen, H, Repo, E, Lepola, U. Long term outcome after NMS. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1991; 84: 550551.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Schneider, LS, Sobin, PB. Non-neuroleptic medications in the management of agitation in Alzheimers disease and other dementias. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 1991; 6: 691708.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Kellam, AMP. The Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, so-called: a survey of the world literature. Br J Psychiatry 1987; 150: 752760.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed