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Factitial illness mimicking rheumatic disease with panniculitis
S M Castro1, E Berman, P C Chang
1Currently Post-Doctoral Fellow, Division of Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, School of Medicine, Rochester, New York. From the Departments of Medicine (S.M.C., R.S.P.), Pathology (E.B., M.K., R.R.R.), Psychiatry (R.S.), and Surgery (P.C.), Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey; University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Livingston, New Jersey (R.S.P.).
Factitial disorders, often overlooked, mimic inflammatory conditions like panniculitis. Early recognition and thorough evaluation are key to diagnosing these self-inflicted conditions, improving patient management.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Factitial disorders present diverse clinical features, often leading to misdiagnosis.
- These self-inflicted conditions can mimic various dermatological and systemic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight factitial disorders mimicking panniculitis.
- To emphasize the importance of considering factitial disease in complex cases.
Main Methods:
- Case study of two patients with factitial disorders presenting as panniculitis.
- Review of clinical presentation, medical history, and biopsy findings.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited chronic ulcerations, recurrent infections, and scarring.
- Biopsies revealed amorphous, birefringent material of exogenous origin.
- Patients displayed psychological factors including depression and personality traits.
Conclusions:
- Factitial disorders are underrecognized and can mimic inflammatory conditions.
- Consideration of factitial disease and careful evaluation are crucial for diagnosis.
- Management may be possible if patients engage in ongoing care.
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