Related Experiment Videos
Delusional infestation in an elderly population
1Department of Old Age Psychiatry, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Irish Medical Journal
|May 1, 1994
Summary
This study details the clinical presentation of delusional infestation in six elderly patients. It discusses their symptoms, diagnosis, and management strategies, offering insights into this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Delusional infestation is a rare psychiatric condition characterized by a fixed, false belief of being infested with parasites or other organisms.
- Elderly patients may present with unique challenges in diagnosis and management due to comorbidities and atypical symptom presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the clinical features of delusional infestation.
- To describe the presentation and clinical characteristics of six elderly patients with this condition.
- To discuss management issues, particularly in relation to aetiology.
Main Methods:
- Case series describing six elderly patients with delusional infestation.
- Review of clinical features, presentation, and management.
- Discussion in relation to existing literature and case reports.
Main Results:
- Detailed description of the clinical presentation and specific features observed in the six elderly patients.
- Comparison of patient presentations with previously reported cases in the literature.
- Identification of key management challenges and potential etiological factors.
Conclusions:
- Delusional infestation in the elderly presents with specific clinical nuances.
- Effective management requires a comprehensive approach addressing both psychiatric and dermatological aspects.
- Further research into the aetiology is crucial for improved treatment strategies.