Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:30
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Acute porphyria amongst psychiatric patients
G R Golechha1, S B Chatterjee, B B Sethi
1Present address: 155, Base Hospital, C/o 99 APO.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|November 8, 2011
Summary
This study identified two cases of acute intermittent porphyria among psychiatric patients, often misdiagnosed. Further research is needed to understand the significance of borderline positive results in psychiatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute porphyrias are rare metabolic disorders.
- Psychiatric patients may present with symptoms that can overlap with porphyria, leading to diagnostic challenges.
- Early diagnosis of acute porphyria is crucial to prevent neurological complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen psychiatric patients for acute porphyria.
- To investigate the prevalence of acute porphyria in psychiatric populations.
- To evaluate diagnostic methods for porphyria in this context.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 519 psychiatric patients and 273 healthy controls.
- Utilized original and modified Watson Schwartz tests for porphobilinogen detection.
- Employed quantitative estimation of porphobilinogen using Remington's method.
Main Results:
- Two cases (0.38%) of acute intermittent porphyria were unequivocally diagnosed in psychiatric patients, previously misdiagnosed as hysterical.
- Seven additional cases showed transiently positive results with the modified Watson Schwartz test, classified as suspected porphyria.
- A significant percentage of psychiatric patients (12.9%) and controls (2.6%) had positive results with the original Watson Schwartz test but negative with the modified test, requiring further evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Acute intermittent porphyria can be missed in psychiatric patients, highlighting the need for increased awareness.
- The modified Watson Schwartz test and quantitative methods are valuable for diagnosing acute porphyria.
- The clinical significance of borderline or transiently positive porphobilinogen tests in psychiatric patients warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
01:25Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
01:27Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
01:24Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...
01:23Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance
The elimination half-life and drug clearance of drugs following nonlinear kinetics can vary with dosage. The Michaelis-Menten parameters and drug concentration influence these factors. As the dose increases, the elimination half-life tends to lengthen, resulting in a reduction in clearance and a disproportionately larger area under the curve. The total clearance can be derived from the Michaelis-Menten equation for drugs following a one-compartment model.
A study on guinea pigs examined the...
A study on guinea pigs examined the...