Delusional disorder: prevalence, clinical correlates and co morbidity

ABSTRACT

Background: Delusional disorder is on a spectrum between more severe psychosis and overvalued ideas. Rates of psychiatric co morbidity in patients with delusional disorder have been found to be high, with affective disorders being the most common co morbid entity. Growing literature has revitalized the efforts to understand, define, characterize and treat this disorder. However, despite these, more studies are needed to clarify the role of mood disturbances in delusional disorder to provide for a better therapeutic approach. Aims: To study the prevalence, socio demographic profile and co morbid depression in delusional disorder patients. Methods: All patients diagnosed as delusional disorder in the last 3 years and attending the psychiatry outpatient department of a general teaching hospital were included. Semi-structured proforma specifically designed for the study was administered to collect socio-demographic data and illness related information. Results: In our study, 53 (1.88%) met the criteria of delusional disorder. Co morbid depression was seen in 17 (32.08%) of these patients. Conclusion: Delusional disorder is a unique entity with considerable psychiatric co morbidity especially depression.