Related Experiment Videos
[Psychogenic paralysis. A prospective study]
1Neurologisk afdeling, Centralsygehuset i Esbjerg. MBI@ribeamt.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Motor conversion disorder prognosis is generally good, with most patients recovering within five years. Poor outcomes are linked to personality disorders, other medical conditions, and lower functional scores.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Context:
- Motor conversion disorder (MCD) is frequently encountered in neurological settings.
- Previous research on MCD prognosis has been limited by retrospective designs and unsystematic data collection.
- This prospective study addresses the need for robust prognostic data in MCD.
Purpose:
- To investigate the long-term prognosis of motor conversion disorder.
- To identify predictors associated with the prognosis of motor conversion disorder.
- To evaluate the risk of neurological rediagnosis in patients with psychogenic paralysis.
Summary:
- Thirty patients with recent-onset motor conversion disorder were assessed for psychiatric and demographic variables, then followed for two to five years.
- Nineteen patients recovered fully, eight improved, and three remained unchanged or worsened.
- Poor prognosis was associated with personality disorders, concomitant somatic disease, and low Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores (DSM-IV Axis V).
- No patients were rediagnosed with a neurological disease, contrary to some previous reports.
Impact:
- Highlights the generally favorable prognosis for motor conversion disorder.
- Identifies key factors (personality disorders, somatic comorbidity, low GAF) predicting poorer outcomes.
- Emphasizes the importance of comprehensive neurological and psychiatric evaluation to rule out organic causes and manage comorbid conditions.
- Suggests that with thorough assessment, the risk of subsequent neurological rediagnosis in psychogenic paralysis is minimal.