[Diogenes's syndrome: an observatory study in a Paris district]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychiatry
• Social Work

Context:

• Diogenes syndrome (DS) is a poorly understood behavioral disorder primarily affecting older adults.
• Characterized by extreme self-neglect, misanthropy, and object hoarding, DS presents significant caregiving challenges.
• Previous research on DS is controversial, necessitating further descriptive studies.

Purpose:

• To conduct a descriptive study on Diogenes syndrome (DS) to determine if affected individuals exhibit a pathological state.
• To characterize the clinical presentation and associated pathologies of DS cases.

Summary:

• A retrospective survey of 600 questionnaires identified 121 cases of DS, representing 1.6 per 10,000 individuals.
• The mean age of affected individuals was 77.8 years, with 71% being women.
• Associated conditions included psychiatric disorders (50%), dementia (26%), and alcohol addiction (7%). Notably, 25% of cases had no associated mental pathology, with some reporting unusual personalities or childhood trauma.

Impact:

• The findings highlight the diverse clinical presentations of DS, suggesting 14 potential typologies.
• Understanding the varied nature of DS, including primary cases with potential links to personality and trauma, can inform future research and clinical approaches.
• This study provides a foundation for designing prospective research to further elucidate Diogenes syndrome.