The plague: a case of delusional infestation with folie à deux / A praga: um caso de delírio de infestação com folie à deux

Folie à deux or Shared psychotic disorder (SPD) is a rare condition characterized by shared psychotic symptoms between two or more individuals. Delusional parasitosis (DP) is an uncommon psychiatric illness in that patients believe they are infested by insects, without evidence to support this belief. DP occurs in 5­15% of SPD. We report a case of cutaneous DP with SPD between an elderly mother and a daughter that lived together and withdrew from other social contacts for the last three years. We aim to highlight the relationship between SPD and DP, its prognosis, and clinical implications.

Folie à deux ou Perturbação Psicótica Compartilhada (PPC) é uma condição rara caracterizada por sintomas psicóticos compartilhados entre dois ou mais indivíduos. O delírio parasitário (DP) é uma doença psiquiátrica incomum em que os pacientes acreditam estar infestados por insetos, sem evidências que sustentem essa crença. O DP ocorre em 5 a 15% das PPC. Relatamos um caso de um DP cutâneo com PPC entre uma mãe idosa e uma filha que viviam juntas e afastadas de outros contatos sociais nos últimos três anos. O nosso objetivo é destacar a relação entre PPC e o DP, o seu prognóstico e implicações clínicas

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of male patients with alcohol-induced psychotic disorders / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of male patients with psychotic disorders caused by alcohol. Methods: The clinical data of 52 male inpatients with alcohol use and related disorders treated in the Department of Addiction of Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May 2018 to December 2019 were collected. There were 19 cases of alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (alcohol-induced psychosis disorder, AIPD) group and 33 cases of non-AIPD group. The risk factors of AIPD were obtained by regression analysis. Results: AIPD patients had a higher incidence of hallucinations (47.4%) and delusions of murder (47.4%). Compared with non-AIPD groups, Logistic regression analysis of AIPD patients showed that vitamine B12 (VB12) serum level (P=0.011, OR=0.995) and total cholesterol serum level (P=0.039, OR=1.874) were associated with the occurrence of AIPD. Conclusion: Patients with AIPD have psychiatric symptoms mainly consisting of hallucinations and delusions of murder. When patients' laboratory tests show abnormal serum VB12 and serum total cholesterol levels, attentions should be paid to the occurrence of AIPD.

Physical Health Literacy and Health-related Behaviors in Patients with Psychosis

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the levels of knowledge of physical illnesses and patterns of health behaviors between patients with psychosis and the general population. METHODS: A total of 712 participants were included in the study; 292 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and 420 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Questionnaires were administered to study participants to determine the level of knowledge of chronic physical illnesses such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus and health-related behavior. Results from the two study groups were compared to identify differences in knowledge of physical illness and health-related behaviors. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, patients with psychosis were less likely to undergo regular medical check-ups and engage in exercise. Patients with psychosis had poorer knowledge of physical illnesses, and were more likely to smoke, be overweight, or have diabetes. Patients with psychosis were significantly less likely to acknowledge the importance of early detection of cancer and controlling hypertension and diabetes, independent of education and type of medical insurance. Patients who smoked were significantly less likely to agree with the statement on the relationship between smoking and physical illnesses. Patients not undergoing regular medical check-ups were significantly less likely to agree with statements concerning the need for cancer screening. CONCLUSION: Patients with psychosis demonstrated lower levels of knowledge of physical illnesses and a lack of understanding of preventive behaviors. Low levels of knowledge were associated with poor health-related behaviors. Education of physical health should be provided to patients with psychosis.

Protocol and Rationale: A 24-week Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial of the Efficacy of Adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (Mangosteen) Pericarp for Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Garcinia mangostana Linn., commonly known as mangosteen, is a tropical fruit with a thick pericarp rind containing bioactive compounds that may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia. The biological underpinnings of schizophrenia are believed to involve altered neurotransmission, inflammation, redox systems, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurogenesis. Mangosteen pericarp contains xanthones which may target these biological pathways and improve symptoms; this is supported by preclinical evidence. Here we outline the protocol for a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of adjunctive mangosteen pericarp (1,000 mg/day), compared to placebo, in the treatment of schizophrenia. METHODS: We aim to recruit 150 participants across two sites (Geelong and Brisbane). Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder will be randomized to receive 24 weeks of either adjunctive 1,000 mg/day of mangosteen pericarp or matched placebo, in addition to their usual treatment. The primary outcome measure is mean change in the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (total score) over the 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology, clinical global severity and improvement, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, functioning, participants reported overall improvement, substance use, cognition, safety and biological data. A 4-week post treatment interview at week 28 will explore post-discontinuations effects. RESULTS: Ethical and governance approvals were gained and the trial commenced. CONCLUSION: A positive finding in this study has the potential to provide a new adjunctive treatment option for people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It may also lead to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder.

Clinical Characteristics, Drug Adherence to Antipsychotics and Medical Use Trends in Patients First Diagnosed with Psychotic Disorder: A Preliminary Study / 대한정신분열병학회지

OBJECTIVES: In this preliminary study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of patients who were first diagnosed with psychotic disorder and explored the impact of the adherence to antipsychotics on long-term medical use. METHODS: All national health insurance claims related to psychotic disorders including gender, age, income, and drug compliance, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2015, were examined. With trend test using Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), we compared the medical use between the compliant group (MRP≥0.8) and the comparative non-compliant group (0.2≤MPR<0.8). RESULTS: Among 28,095 participants in total, 16,239 patients (57.8%) were diagnosed as schizophrenia; the 30s were the most common (n=7,151, 25.5%). Drug compliance was generally low regardless of the diagnosis and was the lowest among 20s with the 40–60% range of income. The compliant group showed lower psychiatric and medical use than the comparative group in the following years (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients in the 20s and 30s with the 40–60% range of income, who are diagnosed with schizophrenia at the first psychiatric visit, may need more clinical and political attention. The results also emphasize the importance of initial drug adherence to antipsychotics in reducing long-term psychiatric costs.

Effect of tDCS on Aberrant Functional Network Connectivity in Refractory Hallucinatory Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study

We aim to investigate the effect of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the interactions among functional networks and its association with psychotic symptoms. In this pilot study, we will determine possible candidate functional networks and an adequate sample size for future research. Seven schizophrenia patients with treatment-refractory auditory hallucinations underwent tDCS twice daily for 5 days. Resting-state fMRI data and measures of the severity of psychotic symptoms were acquired at baseline and after completion of the tDCS sessions. At baseline, decreased functional network interaction was negatively correlated with increased hallucinatory behavior. After tDCS, the previously reduced functional network connectivity significantly increased. Our results showed that fronto-temporal tDCS could possibly remediate aberrant hallucination-related functional network interactions in patients with schizophrenia.

Shared Psychotic Disorder: A case of “Folie a deux” with a delusion of pregnancy

Shared psychotic disorder (Folie a deux), is a rarely seen and poorly understood psychiatric disorder. It ischaracterized by the transfer of delusional belief from one primary patient, who already suffering from apsychotic disorder, to another, the secondary patient. Here we present a case, of daughter of schizophrenicmother who has shared psychotic disorder with belief delusion of pregnancy. It was easily diagnosed but abigger challenge for management purpose.

Association Between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Psychotic Disorders

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between vitamin D and metabolic syndrome in patients with psychotic disorders. METHODS: The study enrolled 302 community-dwelling patients with psychotic disorders. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including blood pressure, physical activity, and dietary habit were gathered. Laboratory examinations included vitamin D, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, liver function, and renal function. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as <20 ng/mL. Clinical characteristics associated with vitamin D insufficiency were identified. RESULTS: Among the 302 participants, 236 patients (78.1%) had a vitamin D insufficiency and 97 (32.1%) had metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (p=0.006) and hypertension (p=0.017). Significant increases in triglycerides and alanine transaminase were observed in the group with a vitamin D insufficiency (p=0.002 and 0.011, respectively). After adjusting for physical activity and dietary habit scores, vitamin D insufficiency remained significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with metabolic syndrome and was particularly associated with high blood pressure, although the nature, direction and implications of this association are unclear.

Psychotic Disorder Induced by Appetite Suppressants, Phentermine or Phendimetrazine: A Case Series Study

OBJECTIVES: A retrospective case series study was conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics of psychotic disorders induced by appetite suppressants, phentermine and phendimetrazine. METHODS: A retrospective electronic medical record review identified 5 admitted patients who had psychotic symptoms after taking phentermine or phendimetrazine. Clinical information was reviewed and summarized in each case. RESULTS: Hallucinations were reported in all cases, including auditory, visual, olfactory and somatic hallucinations. After discontinuation of phentermine or phendimetrazine, the symptoms rapidly improved with low dose of antipsychotics. Patients tended to have less prominent negative symptoms and higher insight into illness, and often showed depressive mood. These clinical characteristics were similar to psychosis induced by amphetamines. Two patients developed stimulant use disorder while using phentermine. CONCLUSIONS: These findings call for awareness of the risks associated with use of appetite suppressants. Prescription of phentermine or phendimetrazine should be accompanied by close monitoring of mental status, and suspicion for substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder.

A Case Of Psychotic Disorder Due To Dengue Fever

This case reported highlighted psychotic disorder due to dengue fever is rare. Hence we describe a case which clearly presented with psychotic symptoms during the illness. Methods: We reported a case of psychotic disorder due to dengue fever who presented with psychotic symptoms of auditory and visual hallucination, and persecutory delusion, which had significant temporal correlation with dengue fever symptoms. There were no neurological deficits noted, no altered sensorium and cognitive impairment during the episode. He has no past and family history of mental illness and there was no evidence of encephalitis and metabolic disturbances. Results: Our case suggests that prominent psychotic symptoms can occur during an episode of dengue fever, which remitted when one recovering from dengue fever. Conclusion: We demonstrated that patients who presented with the acute onset of psychosis accompanied by symptoms of viral fever should be screened for dengue fever, particularly if the person lived in or visited the area where dengue fever is endemic. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 18 (1): January – June 2017: XX XX.

Design and Methodology of the Korean Early Psychosis Cohort Study

The present study details the rationale and methodology of the Korean Early Psychosis Cohort Study (KEPS), which is a clinical cohort investigation of first episode psychosis patients from a Korean population. The KEPS is a prospective naturalistic observational cohort study that follows the participants for at least 2 years. This study includes patients between 18 and 45 years of age who fulfill the criteria for one of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders according to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5. Early psychosis is defined as first episode patients who received antipsychotic treatment for fewer than 4 consecutive weeks after the onset of illness or stabilized patients in the early stages of the disorder whose duration of illness was less than 2 years from the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. The primary outcome measures are treatment response, remission, recovery, and relapse. Additionally, several laboratory tests are conducted and a variety of objective and subjective psychiatric measures assessing early life trauma, lifestyle pattern, and social and cognitive functioning are administered. This long-term prospective cohort study may contribute to the development of early intervention strategies and the improvement of long-term outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.

Stressful Life Events in Onset of First Episode of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder.

Background: Acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) characterized by acute onset of polymorphic psychotic symptomatology and rapid resolution. The aim of this study was to identify the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Methods: The study included 50 patients attending psychiatric OPD and admitted patients in psychiatric wards, at a tertiary care center of Rajasthan, India who were clinically screened for acute and transient psychotic disorder. The patients, suggestive of suffering from ATPD, were thoroughly evaluated for the diagnosis by using ICD-10 criteria for the ATPD and the diagnosis confirmed by a consultant psychiatrist. All the participants were subjected to presumptive stressful life event scale (PSLE) for assessing the role of stressful life events among patients with ATPD. Results: Out of fifty patients, 58% were female and 42% were male. 82% patients were experienced stressful life events before the onset of first episode of acute and transient psychotic disorder. Female experience more stress in areas like death or illness of a family member, marriage or engagement, violence. Whereas male were experienced more stress in areas like marital and family conflicts, financial or occupational problem.Conclusion: Present study highlights that the stressful life events have substantial relationship with the onset of acute and transient psychotic disorder.

Folie à deux (transtorno delirante induzido) / Folie à deux (induced delusional disorder)

RESUMO Folie à deux, ou transtorno delirante induzido, é uma síndrome rara caracterizada por transferência de delírios de um sujeito considerado primariamente psicótico para um ou mais sujeitos considerados secundários em relação à origem do delírio. Apesar de ser um diagnóstico considerado raro, e até por isso esquecido nos tratados psiquiátricos atuais, nosso artigo descreve um caso de folie à deux entre mãe (sujeito delirante primário) e filha (paciente previamente saudável e secundariamente psicótica) que teve sucesso terapêutico e evolução muito favorável. Apesar de nosso caso ter tido evolução favorável, há relatos na literatura de desfechos trágicos como infanticídio. Além disso, nosso artigo chama atenção para alguns aspectos importantes. Primeiro, quadros de folie à deux podem ocorrer em muitas situações, e não só em confinamentos, diferentemente do que os sistemas classificatórios atuais tendem a fazer. Igualmente, não são tão raros como se supõe. Por último, os clínicos devem estar atentos a possíveis problemas psiquiátricos não reconhecidos no indivíduo considerado secundário.

ABSTRACT Folie à deux, or induced delusional disorder, is a rare syndrome characterized by transfer of delusions from a primary subject to one or more secondary subjects. Though a diagnosis considered rare and even so forgotten in current psychiatric treated our article describes a case of folie à deux between mother (primary delusional subject) and daughter (previously healthy and secondary psychotic subject) had therapeutic success and evolution very favorable. Although our case had favorable development, there are reports in the literature tragic outcomes as infanticide. In addition, our article draws attention to some important aspects. First, folie à deux frames can occur in many situations and not only in feedlots, unlike the current classification systems tend to do. Also, they are not as rare as it is supposed. Finally, clinicians should be alert to possible psychiatric problems not recognized in the individual considered secondary.

Factors Affecting Executive Functions In Patients Recovered From Acute And Transient Psychotic Disorder

Objectives: Executive function is an important cognitive function affected in many psychiatric disorders but limited data is available regarding its course in patients recovered from acute and transient psychotic disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the executive function of recovered patients of acute and transient psychotic disorder and to evaluate different factors affecting the executive function of patients recovered from acute and transient psychotic disorder. Method: This was a non-invasive, one point, comparative study where the executive function was assessed after clinical recovery from acute and transient psychotic disorder. The patients were divided into two groups (poor and fair) on the basis of their executive performance. Retrograde analyses of different factors affecting executive performance were carried out. Results: A total of 28 patients had undergone assessment on Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) out of which 13 patients had poor and 15 patients had fair executive performance. The fair executive performance group had shorter duration of psychosis, male preponderance and more years of education. Conclusion: Average duration of psychosis seems to be a reliable predictor of better or poor executive functioning.

The Development of Questionnaire for Relapse Assessment in Psychotic Disorder / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to develop an instrument for detection of relapse in psychotic disorder and to validate the instrument. METHODS: A total of 55 outpatients with psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) and 46 of their caregivers were enrolled. We developed the Questionnaire for Relapse Assessment in Psychotic disorder (QRAP), a self/report inventory. The patients and caregivers drew up the QRAP at two different time points, 'current' and 'the best state during the past three months'. In addition, we rated other established scales in order to evaluate psychotic and mood symptoms of patients. We divided patients into two groups, stable (n=30) and impending relapse (n=35) and evaluated the effectiveness of QRAP by calculating sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: For all patients and caregivers, QRAP total score at 'current' was higher than 'the best state during the past three months' and showed significant positive correlation with other established scales. As expected, QRAP total score at 'current' in the impending relapse group was higher than that of the stable group. With cut off criteria 1, the QRAP demonstrated 80.0% sensitivity and 56.3% specificity in caregivers and effectively detected impending relapse. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest the effectiveness of QRAP as an instrument for detection of relapse in patients with psychotic disorder.

A Case of Phendimetrazine Induced-Psychotic Disorder and Dependence / 신경정신의학

Phendimetrazine and related amphetamine-like compounds are used widely as appetite suppressants in Korea. We report on a patient who developed psychotic disorder and dependence while using phendimetrazine. A 25-year-old female with no psychiatric history began experiencing hallucination of bugs after using phendimetrazine for weight loss for five months. She was admitted and the drug was stopped. Three days later, her psychotic symptoms had subsided and she returned home. Two months after discharge, against medical advice, she returned to a clinic to obtain phendimetrazine for its anorectic effect. She continued using phendimetrazine because she had developed withdrawal symptoms and experienced cravings for it. Within two months of restarting the drug, she had developed paranoid delusions, auditory and olfactory hallucinations. She was readmitted, and was confirmed to have a dependence on phendimetrazine. This case provides a warning that amphetamine-related anorectics can cause psychotic disorder and dependence.

Autobiographical memory deficits in acute transient psychosis after remission

Background : In our clinical practice, in patients who went into clinical remission from their psychotic episodes, we found variability in recall pattern of events and experiences occurring during psychotic states. Aims: The present study aimed to find out the deficits in autobiographical memory regarding the events and experiences which occurred during psychotic states in clinically remitted acute and transient psychotic disorder (ATPD) patients. Method: Consecutive patients (20), who went into clinical remission within a period of three months of onset of their first ATPD episodes, along with their informants (20), who were selected as per specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, were interviewed within a period of two months of clinical remission of their psychotic episodes. The interviews were based on a list which included items regarding different events and experiences restricted to the period of patients' illness and their recall abilities were compared. Results: Catatonic features, features suggestive of dis-inhibition, impairment of personal care, manic features and biological function impairment were the items which patients found difficult to recall. Conclusion: The study showed that the patients had autobiographical memory deficits regarding their catatonic features, dis-inhibitions, personal care and biological function impairments and manic symptoms after their clinical remission, which has clinical and management implications. However the study was limited by the small sample size and naturalistic design. Key message - Patients found it difficult to remember catatonic features, dis-inhibitions, manic symptoms, personal care and biological function impairments which occurred during their psychotic episodes after clinical remission of their acute transient psychotic episodes.

A Comparative Study on Alexithymia in Depressive, Somatoform, Anxiety, and Psychotic Disorders among Koreans

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the characteristic differences in alexithymic construct in various psychiatric disorders because of a paucity of direct comparisons between psychiatric disorders. Therefore, this study explored disorder-related differences in alexithymic characteristics among Korean patients diagnosed with four major psychiatric disorders (n=388). METHODS: Alexithymic tendencies, as measured by the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K), of patients classified into four groups according to major psychiatric diagnosis were compared. The groups consisted of patients with depressive disorders (DP; n=125), somatoform disorders (SM; n=78), anxiety disorders (AX; n=117), and psychotic disorders (PS; n=68). RESULTS: We found that substantial portions of patients in all groups were classified as having alexithymia and no statistical intergroup differences emerged (42.4%, 35.9%, 35.3%, and 33.3% for DP, SM, PS, and AX). However, patients with DP obtained higher scores in factor 2 (difficulties describing feelings) than those with SM or AX, after adjusting for demographic variables. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that alexithymia might be associated with a higher vulnerability to depressive disorders and factor 2 of TAS-20K could be a discriminating feature of depressive disorders.

Caracterização dos usuários com esquizofrenia e outros transtornos psicóticos dos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial. / Characterization of the users with schizophrenia in Psychosocial Care Centers.

A rede de Saúde Mental de base comunitária no Brasil ampliou a oferta de serviços substitutivos para a população com doença mental grave. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil do usuário com transtornos psicóticos nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial do Estado de Sergipe (CAPS-SE). Foi conduzido um estudo descritivo, com análise quantitativa dos dados sociodemográficos e número de internação. Foram estudados 1.444 prontuários com diagnóstico de transtorno psicótico e encontraram-se 75,3% deles com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia e 24,7% com outros transtornos psicóticos. Os usuários com menos de 24 anos representavam 33% dos usuários, enquanto 54% estavam igualmente distribuídos nas faixas etárias de 25-35 e 35-46 anos. Dos sujeitos com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia, 79,9% eram do gênero masculino e 68%, feminino, mostrando relação significativa entre gênero e diagnóstico. A maioria absoluta dos sujeitos não tem profissão. Quanto ao número de internações, a diferença entre sujeitos diagnosticados como esquizofrênicos para os portadores de outros diagnósticos aponta predominância significativa do primeiro grupo na faixa com mais de seis internações. Conclui-se que entre os usuários dos CAPS é predominante o gênero masculino, com comprometimento importante também na dimensão profissional.

Community based network of Mental Health in Brazil increased the supply of substitute services for the population with grave mental disorders. The objective of this study was to characterize the profile of the user with psychotic disorders in Psychosocial Care Centers (PCC) in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. A descriptive study was carried out by means of a quantitative analysis of the sociodemographic and number of committal data. In this study, 1,444 patients? records with psychotic disorder diagnosis were analysed. It was revealed that 75.3% were diagnosed with schizophrenia and whereas 24.7% with other psychotic disorders. Users with less than 24 years represented 33% of the subjects, while 54% were equally distributed in the age groups 25-35 and 35-46 years. It was shown that among the users diagnosed with schizophrenia, 79.9% belonged to the male gender and 68.7% to the feminine gender. The absolute majority of the subjects have no occupation. Concerning the number of hospitalizations, the difference between subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia for patients with other diagnoses indicates significant predominance more than first group in the range of six admissions. It was concluded that among the users of the PPC with schizophrenia the male gender is prevalent, which also signals impairment towards the professional dimension.

Second Opinion On Insanity Plea In A Murder And Attempted Suicide Case: A Case Report

Objectives: This paper aims to discuss the issue related to the application of temporary insanity plea through a case report of a man who was earlier certified as mentally sound following a murder and suicide attempt. Methods: We report a man who committed murder and attempted suicide 7 years ago, had a psychiatric certification of not having mental illness and recently requested for a second psychiatric assessment. The factors taken into consideration in arriving at the final diagnosis are discussed. Results: The man was found to have brief psychotic disorder precipitated by psychological blow and sleep deprivation with underlying undiagnosed borderline mental retardation.Conclusion: In assessing patient with temporary insanity plea, various areas in the history need to be explored deeply with thorough investigations to be done in order to arrive at a fair conclusion for the patient’s and victim’s sake.