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[Confusion and delusions occurring during interferon-alpha treatment]
1Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Santé Mentale et de Thérapeutique des Professeurs H. Lôo et J.-P. Olié, CH Sainte-Anne, 7, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris.
L'Encephale
|February 28, 2002
Summary
Interferon alpha (IFN) therapy can cause psychiatric side effects. This case report details a patient experiencing acute confusion and delusions after IFN alpha reintroduction, resolving upon discontinuation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Interferon alpha (IFN) therapy is used for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
- IFN therapy is associated with various psychiatric side effects, including cognitive, behavioral, and affective changes.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old patient on long-term IFN alpha therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia experienced an acute confusional episode with delusions.
- This episode occurred after a 2-week suspension and subsequent reintroduction of IFN alpha.
Findings:
- The patient's psychiatric symptoms, including confusion and delusions, resolved rapidly after discontinuing IFN alpha treatment.
- Normal biological tests, EEG, and cerebral imaging supported a causal link between IFN alpha and the psychiatric symptoms.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for IFN alpha to induce acute psychiatric episodes, even after prolonged treatment.
- Clinicians should monitor for psychiatric side effects during IFN alpha therapy, especially upon treatment resumption.
- Prompt cessation of IFN alpha may lead to rapid recovery from treatment-induced psychiatric symptoms.