[Psychiatric manifestations in Wilson's disease]

Area of Science:

• Genetics and rare diseases
• Neurology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Wilson disease is an inherited, autosomal recessive disorder.
• It causes progressive hepatic and neurological symptoms, typically starting between ages 10 and 40.
• Psychiatric disturbances are common, sometimes preceding other symptoms.

Observation:

• Psychiatric manifestations can precede neurological dysfunction in Wilson disease.
• This diagnostic challenge can delay treatment until the disease is advanced.
• The study reports 3 cases where psychiatric symptoms led to psychiatric admission before neurological signs appeared.

Findings:

• Wilson disease diagnosis can be delayed due to early psychiatric symptoms.
• In nearly 20% of cases, psychiatric symptoms precede hepatic and neurological dysfunction.
• The 3 reported patients highlight the importance of considering Wilson disease in psychiatric cases.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of psychiatric presentations is vital for early Wilson disease diagnosis.
• Timely diagnosis can prevent advanced disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
• This underscores the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in diagnosing complex cases.