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A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
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A 50-Year-Old Woman With Confusion and Facial Rash.
Jose Soriano1, Debapriya Datta1
1Division of Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT.
Chest
|February 9, 2020
Summary
A woman with a history of bipolar disorder and ADHD experienced confusion after stopping psychiatric medications. This case highlights the importance of medication adherence in managing psychiatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- A 50-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presented with acute confusion.
- The patient had recently discontinued her psychiatric medications due to loss of insurance coverage.
Observation:
- The patient's confusion progressed over 3 days.
- Family reported no history of headache, seizures, fever, or recent trauma.
- The patient had a history of cocaine abuse, though family believed she had been abstinent for years.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of psychiatric medications in patients with pre-existing conditions can lead to significant neurological and psychiatric decompensation.
- Acute confusion in this context warrants a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical role of continuous psychiatric care and medication adherence.
- Healthcare systems and policymakers must address barriers to consistent treatment access for mental health conditions.
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