[Diogenes' syndrome. A geriatric entity]

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Psychiatry

Context:

• A rare geriatric syndrome characterized by extreme self-neglect, squalid living conditions, and social withdrawal.
• The syndrome presents significant clinical, social, and ethical challenges for healthcare providers.

Purpose:

• To familiarize physicians with the signs, symptoms, and terminology of this rare geriatric syndrome.
• To guide physicians in selecting appropriate management strategies for affected individuals.

Summary:

• Literature review of case studies from MEDLINE and Psychlit databases, supplemented by references from geriatric and psychiatric texts.
• Analysis revealed a lack of clear definition for the syndrome, with case studies showing considerable dissimilarity.
• The syndrome is defined by extreme self-neglect, poor living conditions, and social withdrawal, presenting a complex geriatric problem.

Impact:

• Improved physician understanding and recognition of this challenging geriatric syndrome.
• Enhanced ability for healthcare professionals to address the multifaceted needs of patients exhibiting extreme self-neglect.
• Provides a foundation for further research into the etiology and effective interventions for this condition.