NMS Flashcards
Risk factors
A variety of other risk factors have emerged from epidemiological and case studies of NMS which include dehydration, physical exhaustion, exposure to heat, hyponatremia, iron deficiency, malnutrition, trauma, thyrotoxicosis, alcohol, psychoactive substances, and presence of a structural or functional brain disorder such as encephalitis, tumor, delirium, or dementia.47–49 Males under 40 years are often thought to be at greater risk of developing NMS as well, but it remains unclear whether this elevated risk is primarily due to the increased incidence of neuroleptic use in this population. Postpartum women may also be at slightly higher risk of developing NMS.50 Reports of identical twins and a mother and 2 of her daughters all presenting with NMS suggest that a genetic risk factor for NMS may exist,51 and some limited genetic investigations help support existence of genetic component to the condition,46 possibly through a genetically associated reduction in the function of the D2 dopamine receptor.52
