Brugada Syndrome in psychiatric disorder

Q: Which psychological condition is found to be associated with Brugada pattern ECGs? 0 select one

A) Autism Spectrum Disorder  

B) Bipolar Disorder

C) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

D) Schizophrenia 

E) Social Anxiety

Answer: D

Brugada pattern ECGs are more significantly common in schizophrenia, and this association is without any significant impact of antipsychotic medications with sodium channel blocking activity.

Although the cause is not known, the same electrolyte channel dysfunction is suspected. It keeps the risk of sudden death in these patients high, an important element in the care of these patients, particularly when they are in hospitals and subject to various medications.

#psychiatry

#cardiology

References:

1. Blom MT, Cohen D, Seldenrijk A, et al. Brugada syndrome ECG is highly prevalent in schizophrenia. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2014; 7:384.

2. Rastogi A, Viani-Walsh D, Akbari S, Gall N, Gaughran F, Lally J. Pathogenesis and management of Brugada syndrome in schizophrenia: A scoping review. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2020 Nov-Dec;67:83-91. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.09.003. Epub 2020 Oct 6. PMID: 33065406; PMCID: PMC7537626.

3. Treur JL, Thijssen AB, Smit DJA, Tadros R, Veeneman RR, Denys D, Vermeulen JM, Barc J, Bergstedt J, Pasman JA, Bezzina CR, Verweij KJH. Associations of schizophrenia with arrhythmic disorders and electrocardiogram traits: genetic exploration of population samples. Br J Psychiatry. 2025 Mar;226(3):153-161. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.165. Epub 2024 Nov 8. PMID: 39512114; PMCID: PMC7616879.

4. Sutterland AL, Blom MT, Ladee K, Lubbers JJM, Cohen D, de Haan L, Tan HL. Increased prevalence of ECG suspicious for Brugada Syndrome in recent onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophr Res. 2019 Aug;210:59-65. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.06.013. Epub 2019 Jun 24. PMID: 31248748.