Myxedema psychosis: A protocol for a systematic review and a pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myxedema psychosis (MP) is a rare presentation of hypothyroidism. Although known for >70 years, a significant lack of systematic literature describing this condition exists. This limits the clinician's ability to identify and manage this entity properly. Hence, we aimed to systematically review the literature and summarize the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of this rare entity. METHODS: Systematic review following PRISMA guidance. We will perform a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar (first 300 hits), and Cochrane databases for published observational studies, case series, and case reports. We will use descriptive statistics to provide summary estimates of demographics, common presenting features, laboratory test results, imaging findings, treatment administered, and outcomes. Moreover, continuous variables will be compared by the Wilcoxon Mann Whitney test, whereas categorical variables will be assessed by the χ test. Bivariate and multivariate regression will be performed to assess risk factors associated with poor outcome. A scoping review revealed that a meta-analysis might not be feasible owing to the paucity of systematic studies describing the condition. RESULTS: This is the first systematic review examining this rare entity. Thus, the result of which will be significant. We hope that this review will help in identifying relevant predictive clinical or laboratory characteristics. Additionally, it identifies the best treatment strategies. The findings of this review will help increase our knowledge of this condition so as to recognize this condition promptly. Also, it will assist in differentiating MP from masqueraders, such as Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE). The results of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic review exploring MP demographics, diagnosis treatment, and outcomes. The information gathered by this review will be necessary for patients, clinicians, researchers, and guideline makers. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020160310.

La locura mixedematosa. El delirio que cura con levotiroxina / Myxoedema madness. The delusion that is cured with levothyroxine

Objetivo: El objetivo de este artículo es analizar, a través de un caso clínico, los trastornos psicóticos relacionados con el hipotiroidismo. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso clínico de una mujer de 51años ingresada en el hospital por un trastorno psicótico agudo, con delirios paranoides y conducta alucinatoria. La evaluación revela un estado hipotiroideo severo y la paciente es tratada con terapia hormonal y antipsicóticos, consiguiéndose la remisión clínica completa. Resultados: La aparición de trastornos mentales, especialmente trastornos del estado de ánimo, durante las enfermedades de la tiroides se conoce desde hace un siglo, mientras que los trastornos psicóticos asociados con disfunción tiroidea rara vez se describen. Conclusiones: Este caso pone de relevancia el papel del equilibrio hormonal de la tiroides en el inicio de las manifestaciones psicóticas y enfatiza la necesidad de valorar la funcionalidad de esta glándula endocrina en el contexto del diagnóstico etiológico de la psicosis

Objective: The aim of this article is to analyse, using a clinical case, the psychotic disorders related to hypothyroidism. Case report: The case is presented of a 51-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with an acute psychotic disorder, as well as paranoid delusions and hallucinatory behaviour. The evaluation revealed a severe hypothyroid state, for which the patient was treated with hormone therapy and antipsychotics, resulting in full clinical remission. Results: The occurrence of mental disorders, especially mood disorders, during thyroid diseases have been known for a century, while psychotic disorders associated with thyroid diseases are rarely described. Conclusions: This case highlights the role of thyroid hormone balance in the onset of psychotic manifestations, and emphasises the need to assess the functionality of this endocrine gland in the context of the aetiological diagnosis of psychosis

Myxedema Psychosis in a Patient With Undiagnosed Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

Myxedema psychosis is uncommon in patients with primary hypothyroidism. Most often, this disease state can be found in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis or after total thyroidectomy. Chronic hypothyroidism can lead to an insidious onset of psychiatric symptoms in patients, such as dementia, delirium, psychosis, hallucinations, and coma. A 31-year-old man with an unremarkable medical history was brought to the psychiatric emergency department for new-onset aggression, paranoid behavior, and hallucinations for 4 days. Initial test results showed a thyroid-stimulating hormone level of 306.0 mIU/L and a free thyroxin level of 0.24 ng/dL. No other clinical or laboratory abnormalities were found. A diagnosis of myxedema psychosis was established, and the patient was treated with tapering doses of intravenous hydrocortisone and 0.1 mg of intravenous levothyroxine daily. On hospital day 3, his mental status began to improve, and he was discharged on day 4. Myxedema psychosis is rarely the initial presenting symptom of hypothyroidism, especially in the absence of other abnormal clinical or laboratory findings.

'Myxoedema madness' with Capgras syndrome and catatonic features responsive to combination olanzapine and levothyroxine.

We present the case of an elderly woman with hypothyroidism and no psychiatric history who presented with new onset of psychosis, paranoia, catatonic features and Capgras syndrome (CS). This case illustrates the spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms that may accompany hypothyroidism and the importance of considering thyroid dysfunction as a primary contributor to severe psychiatric symptoms, especially in previously stable patients. We demonstrate the effectiveness of combination levothyroxine and olanzapine, with its favourable cardiac profile, in the treatment of myxoedema madness. Antipsychotics can be weaned once psychiatric symptoms resolve and hormone levels are stabilised.

"Myxedema madness" associated with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea.

This is the case report of a 32-year-old obese male with a history of agitation, hallucinations, and delirium, recently diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism; he gave a several month history of fatigue with nocturnal snoring and frequent awakening. Polysomnogram revealed severe OSA; initiation of CPAP and levothyroxine resulted in immediate improvement. The lack of a previous psychiatric history and acuteness of presentation was consistent with hypothyroid psychosis complicated by sleep deprivation cause by untreated OSA. Primary hypothyroidism is a common disorder often associated with depression. It is rarely associated with psychosis and was first described as "myxoedematous madness" in 1949. It has not been previously reported to cause psychosis when associated with obstructive sleep apnea. This case illustrates the need for examination of potential multiple organic causes in a patient who presents with psychosis in the critical care setting.

Myxoedema madness.

A 59-year-old man was referred for Mental Health Act Assessment following several months of 'odd behaviour' and self-neglect reported by his neighbours. He presented as unkempt and expressed delusional ideas with respect to age, employment and identity of family members. He was fully oriented but lacked insight into his mental state and capacity for self-care. Physical examination revealed dry skin and slow relaxing reflexes. Blood investigations revealed a raised thyroid stimulating hormone and free T4 with positive thyroid peroxidise antibodies. MRI of the brain revealed frontal lobe and cerebellar atrophy, while neuropsychological assessment identified deficit in memory processing and executive functions. Despite appropriate correction of primary hypothyroidism with levothyroxine, the patient remained delusional with respect to age and employment although he showed some improvement in memory. Capacity for self-care remained poor; thus, he was eventually transferred to sheltered housing with rehabilitation.

[Some neurologic and psychiatric complications in endocrine disorders: the thyroid gland]. / Néhány endokrin betegség neurológiai és pszichiátriai vonatkozása: a pajzsmirigy.

Thyroid hormones are of primary importance for the perinatal development of the central nervous system, and for normal function of the adult brain. These hormones primarily regulate the transcription of specific target genes. They increase the cortical serotonergic neurotransmission, and play an important role in regulating central noradrenergic and GABA function. Thyroid deficiency during the perinatal period results in mental retardation. Hypothyroidism of the adults causes most frequently dementia and depression. Other less common clinical pictures include myxoedema coma, dysfunction of cerebellum and cranial nerves. Hypothyroidism also increases predisposition of stroke. Peripheral diseases frequently include polyneuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, myalgic state, and rarely myokymia. Nearly all the hyperthyroid patients show minor psychiatric signs, and infrequently psychosis, dementia, confusion state, depression, apathetic thyrotoxicosis, thyrotoxic crisis, seizures, pyramidal signs, or chorea occur. The peripheral complications may be indicated by chronic thyrotoxic myopathy, infiltrative ophthalmopathy, myasthenia gravis, periodic hypokalemic paralysis and polyneuropathy. Generalized resistance to thyroid hormone was confirmed in a number of patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Significantly elevated antithyroid antibody titers characterize Hashimoto's encephalopathy. This condition is a rare, acute - subacute, serious, life threatening, but steroid-responsive, relapsing-remitting, autoimmune disease.

Dementia associated with scleromyxoedema reversed by high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.

Scleromyxoedema is a rare skin disease, characterized by deposition of acid mucopolysaccharides in the dermis. Although the disease primarily affects the skin, cardiovascular, renal and rheumatological manifestations have been described. In addition to these noncutaneous manifestations, about 15% of patients have central neurological symptoms such as psychosis, convulsions and encephalopathy. Successful therapy is difficult but high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported to be a successful treatment. We describe a patient with scleromyxoedema who presented with novel central nervous system manifestations of chronic cognitive impairment and dementia (Folstein Mini Mental State test score 8/30), which improved within a week after treatment with high-dose IVIg, with full restoration (Folstein Mini Mental State test score 27/30) at 2 months.

Factors associated with mortality of patients with myxoedema coma: prospective study in 11 cases treated in a single institution.

This study was carried out to investigate the clinical and biochemical factors which might be of importance in predicting the outcome of patients with myxoedema coma. Eleven patients (ten female) aged 68.1+/-19.5 years attended our institution over a period of 18 years. Glasgow and APACHE II scores and serum free thyroxine and TSH were measured in all the patients on entry. Patients were selected at random to be treated with two different regimens of l-thyroxine. Four patients died with the mortality rate being 36.4%. The patients in coma at entry had significantly higher mortality rates than those with minor degrees of consciousness (75% vs 14.3% respectively, P=0.04). The surviving patients had significantly higher Glasgow scores than those who died (11.85+/-2.3 vs 5.25+/-2.2 respectively, P<0.001). Comparison of the mean values of APACHE II scores between the surviving group and those who died was significantly different (18.0+/-2.08 vs 31.5+/-2.08 respectively, P<0.0001). The degree of consciousness, the Glasgow score and the severity of the illness measured by APACHE II score on entry were the main factors that determined the post-treatment outcome of patients with myxoedema coma.

Psychosis in a 15 year old hypothyroid girl: myxoedematous madness?

The case of a fifteen year old girl with sudden onset of a psychotic illness thought to be related to marked hypothyroidism is reported. Apart from the age several features of this case warrant discussion and the value of screening for thyroid disease in psychotic illnesses is highlighted.

Capgras syndrome in a patient with myxedema.

The authors describe what may be the first reported case of Capgras syndrome associate with, or precipitated by, myxedema. The patient's mental status dramatically returned to normal with gradual thyroid replacement. The authors suggest that tests for organicity be done routinely on patients manifesting Capgras features.

Myxedema psychosis--insanity defense in homicide.

In the course of a hypothyroid psychosis, a young man committed murder. He was later judged to be not guilty by reason of insanity, although he was clearly sane at the time of his trial. Diagnostic, treatment and longer range management problems are discussed.

Acute cerebral symptomatology, a rare presentation of scleromyxedema.

A 65 year old male with the entity, scleromyxedema, experienced exacerbation of the disease in which the main clinical features involved the central nervous system. He presented with clouded sensorium, disorganized thinking, combative behavior, headache, unsteady gait and grand mal seizures. A few days after hospital admission the symptoms abated. After a 6 day hiatus, the symptoms suddenly recurred, continuing for another week. The symptomatology again suddenly ceased with complete clearance of mental status. During the full-blown delirium, the electroencephalogram had demonstrated diffuse slowing while lumbar puncture, brain scan, E.M.I. scan and cerebral arteriogram failed to contribute to the understanding of the clinical presentation. Scleromyxedema rarely involves the central nervous system. This case illustrates a very unusual manifestation of scleromyxedema, prominent central nervous system involvement presenting as an acute organic brain syndrome. It is the only case which includes formal mental status examination, cerebrospinal fluid findings and electroencephalogram results.