Prakash Sanjay, Rathore Chaturbhuj, Rana Kaushik
Department of Neurology, Smt. B. K. Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Waghodia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2020 Sep-Oct;23(5):638-643. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_603_19. Epub 2020 Feb 7.
Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a highly underdiagnosed drug-induced clinical syndrome. Under diagnosis is partly due to the unawareness of this syndrome by physicians. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of SS among neuro physicians in India.
A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out among neuro physicians in India. Neuro physicians attending the various neurological conferences and meetings were approached to participate in the study.
A total of 150 neuro physicians responded to the survey. About 31% of participants correctly recognized the criteria for SS. Only 17% of the neuro physicians considered clonus as the most important feature in SS. Very few physicians correctly identified serotonergic agents causing serotonin syndrome. Similarly, a very low percentage of neuro physicians correctly identified the drugs used in the management of SS. Drugs used for the treatment of SS were incorrectly recognized as drugs causing SS. Clonus is the most specific feature for SS. However, examination for clonus is not a routine phenomenon in clinical practice among neuro physicians.
This study shows great deficiencies in all domains of SS among neuro physicians. There is a need to make every doctor aware of SS by educational programs.
血清素综合征（SS）是一种极易被漏诊的药物性临床综合征。漏诊部分原因在于医生对该综合征缺乏认知。本研究旨在评估印度神经科医生对血清素综合征的知识、态度及实践情况。
在印度神经科医生中采用自填式问卷进行横断面调查。研究邀请参加各类神经学会议的神经科医生参与。
共有150名神经科医生回复了调查。约31%的参与者正确识别了血清素综合征的标准。仅有17%的神经科医生认为阵挛是血清素综合征最重要的特征。极少数医生能正确识别导致血清素综合征的血清素能药物。同样，极低比例的神经科医生能正确识别用于治疗血清素综合征的药物。用于治疗血清素综合征的药物被错误地认为是导致血清素综合征的药物。阵挛是血清素综合征最具特异性的特征。然而，在神经科医生的临床实践中，检查阵挛并非常规操作。
本研究表明神经科医生在血清素综合征的各个方面都存在很大不足。有必要通过教育项目让每位医生了解血清素综合征。
