Abstract
Introduction: Sigma volvulus is a common cause of intestinal obstruction, especially in vulnerable populations. Psychotropic drugs, widely used for mental disorders, have side effects that can compromise gastrointestinal motility, increasing the risk of sigmoid volvulus. Objective: A brief systematic review was developed to list the central clinical studies and case reports on the relationship between the occurrence of sigmoid volvulus in patients using psychotropic drugs. Methods: The PRISMA Platform systematic review rules were followed. The search was carried out from November 2024 to January 2025 in the Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. Results and Conclusion: 112 articles were found, 25 articles were evaluated in full and 11 were included and developed in the present systematic review study. Considering the Cochrane tool for risk of bias, the overall assessment resulted in 25 studies with a high risk of bias and 31 studies that did not meet GRADE and AMSTAR-2. Most studies did not show homogeneity in their results, with X2=79.5%>50%. The indiscriminate use of psychotropic drugs represents an underestimated risk factor for the development of sigmoid volvulus. It is crucial to constantly monitor gastrointestinal side effects in patients treated with these drugs and to encourage a comprehensive approach in their clinical management. Reducing anticholinergic load and avoiding serotonergic antagonists will also mitigate hypomotility. Previous abdominal surgery and cecal diameter >10 cm was found to be predictive factors for failure of colonoscopic detorsion. Constipation due to psychotropic drug use was a significant predictor of recurrence of sigmoid volvulus. Effective management of constipation is crucial to prevent recurrence.