Clinical features of serotonin syndrome and its curative effects: an analysis of 15 cases

Objective To investigate the clinical features of serotonin syndrome (SS) and observe its curative effects. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical features of 15 patients with SS admitted to our hospital from January 2006 to December 2011; 9 mild-ill cases,5 moderately-ill cases,and 1 severe-ill case were noted in these patients.After the serotonin drugs were removed and cyproheptadine and supportive treatment were given, curative effects were analyzed.Results The clinical manifestations of SS were highly variable: irritability was noted in 4 patients,tachyrhythmia in 12,hyperactive bowel sounds in 5,diarrhea in 4,diaphorisis in 12,febricity in 5,hypertension in 6,ocular ataxia in 4, mydfiasis in 4, musculature tremor in 6, hypermyotonia in 8,myoclonus in 4,tendon hyperreflexia in 8,ataxia in 2 and seizure attack in 2.The symptoms of 9 mild-ill cases were recovered within 72 h.The major of duration of symptoms was 126 h and the mean time of therapy was (86.9±21.7) h in 5 moderate-ill cases and 1 severe-ill case. Conclusion SS is characterized by mental status changes,autonomic instability,and neuromuscular hyperactivity.The key point of prevention and cure is early diagnosis,appropriate management and being early aware of the serotonergic drug side effect by clinicians. Key words: Serotonin syndrome; Serotonergic agent; Clinical feature