Insulin Abuse: A Case Report of Munchausen Syndrome

Hypoglycaemia in individuals with diabetes is defined as the presence of signs or symptoms in addition to potentially occurring abnormal plasma glucose levels in the patient. Munchausen Syndrome (MS) is characterized by the deliberate induction of physical or psychological symptoms or the act of pretending to have symptoms. Patient reports of this factitious disease pattern are limited in the literature. The diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome, which is among factitious disorders, is very difficult. Endocrinological complaints are very common among those admitted to the hospitals.

Unnecessary and numerous examinations cause financial losses and loss of time for both the individual and the healthcare system. In this case report, we aimed to discuss the management of a patient who tried to gain secondary gain by creating artificial hypoglycemia attacks.

In this case report, the diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome given to a 28-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with type I diabetes and repeatedly admitted to the hospital due to hypoglycemia attacks is discussed.

Munchausen syndrome is an important and often overlooked diagnosis that should be kept in mind due to the possibility of individuals harming themselves unpredictably, as well as causing disruptions in the healthcare system and wasting time due to numerous and unnecessary examinations and evaluations. For this reason, it is a diagnosis that should be kept in mind in cases of unexplained hypoglycemia attacks.