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Mindru FM, Radu AF, Bumbu AG, Radu A, Bungau SG. Insights into the Medical Evaluation of Ekbom Syndrome: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2151. [PMID: 38396826 PMCID: PMC10889746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ekbom syndrome, also known as delusional parasitosis (DP) or delusional infestation, is an uncommon psychiatric disorder distinguished by an enduring conviction of parasitic infestation, persisting notwithstanding the presence of medical evidence to the contrary. Primarily affecting middle-aged women, DP can manifest either as isolated psychological distress or as a component within a more intricate psychiatric framework, substantially influencing the quality of life for affected individuals. Its pathophysiological mechanism involves uncertain dopaminergic imbalances and dysfunction in the dopamine transporter system. Dermatologists often play a pivotal role in diagnosis, as patients first seek dermatological assessments of their signs and symptoms. However, DP frequently originates from underlying psychiatric disorders or medical variables, manifesting with neurological and infectious causative factors. The diagnostic complexity is attributed to patients' resolute convictions, leading to delayed psychiatric intervention. First-line DP treatment involves antipsychotics, with newer agents demonstrating promising prospects, but the lack of standardized protocols poses a significant therapeutic challenge. In this narrative review, both a comprehensive approach to this uncommon pathology and an update on the state of knowledge in this medical subfield focused on optimizing the management of DP are provided. The complexity of DP underlying its uncommon nature and the incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology highlight the need for further research through multicenter studies and multidisciplinary teams to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florina Madalina Mindru
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; (F.M.M.); (A.R.); (S.G.B.)
| | - Andrei-Flavius Radu
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; (F.M.M.); (A.R.); (S.G.B.)
- Department of Preclinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania
| | - Adrian Gheorghe Bumbu
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; (F.M.M.); (A.R.); (S.G.B.)
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania
| | - Ada Radu
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; (F.M.M.); (A.R.); (S.G.B.)
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania; (F.M.M.); (A.R.); (S.G.B.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania
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Cressot C, Vrillon A, Lilamand M, Francisque H, Méauzoone A, Hourregue C, Dumurgier J, Marlinge E, Paquet C, Cognat E. Psychosis in Neurodegenerative Dementias: A Systematic Comparative Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:85-99. [PMID: 38669539 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Psychosis, characterized by delusions and/or hallucinations, is frequently observed during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative dementias (ND) (i.e., dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)) and cause diagnostic and management difficulties. Objective This review aims at presenting a concise and up-to-date overview of psychotic symptoms that occur in patients with ND with a comparative approach. Methods A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. 98 original studies investigating psychosis phenotypes in neurodegenerative dementias were identified (40 cohort studies, 57 case reports). Results Psychosis is a frequently observed phenomenon during the course of ND, with reported prevalence ranging from 22.5% to 54.1% in AD, 55.9% to 73.9% in DLB, and 18% to 42% in FTD. Throughout all stages of these diseases, noticeable patterns emerge depending on their underlying causes. Misidentification delusions (16.6-78.3%) and visual hallucinations (50-69.6%) are frequently observed in DLB, while paranoid ideas and somatic preoccupations seem to be particularly common in AD and FTD, (respectively 9.1-60.3% and 3.10-41.5%). Limited data were found regarding psychosis in the early stages of these disorders. Conclusions Literature data suggest that different ND are associated with noticeable variations in psychotic phenotypes, reflecting disease-specific tendencies. Further studies focusing on the early stages of these disorders are necessary to enhance our understanding of early psychotic manifestations associated with ND and help in differential diagnosis issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Cressot
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Agathe Vrillon
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Lilamand
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Service de Gériatrie, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Francisque
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Méauzoone
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Claire Hourregue
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Julien Dumurgier
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1153, Paris, France
| | - Emeline Marlinge
- Département de Psychiatrie, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Claire Paquet
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Cognat
- Université Paris Cité, UMRS 1144, INSERM, Paris, France
- Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, AP-HP.Nord, Site Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Paris, France
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Orsolini L, Corona D, Salvi V, Volpe U. Long-acting paliperidone in Ekbom’s syndrome in Lewy body dementia: A case report. Transl Neurosci 2022; 13:201-210. [PMID: 35975126 PMCID: PMC9334881 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ekbom Syndrome (ES) is characterised by fixed, delusional beliefs that one’s body is infested by parasites or other vermin in absence of supporting clinical evidence. Antipsychotic (AP) treatment, including long-acting injectable (LAI) AP in subjects with poor compliance, is prescribed to manage behavioural and psychotic symptomatology. Objectives We describe a 70-year-old woman who was hospitalised after experiencing new-onset delusions of infestation with visual and tactile hallucinations that led to bizarre behaviours and progressive social withdrawal. Methods She was diagnosed with ES and was initially treated with risperidone 3 mg; however, due to poor compliance and a lack of insight, she was switched to LAI palmitate paliperidone (LAI-PP). She was followed up for 8 months, administering Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Global Assessment of Functioning, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, neurocognitive assessment, and neuroimaging. Results After a progressive cognitive deterioration, she was diagnosed with an ES secondary to Lewy body dementia (DLB). Conclusion The LAI-PP treatment determined a complete clinical remission of psychotic symptoms despite the emergence of an iatrogenic akinetic-rigid syndrome. The delay of confirmatory neurological diagnosis, the associated risky behaviours of the patient, and poor treatment adherence led clinicians to prescribe LAI-PP following a good clinical response to oral paliperidone. However, in the case of a suspected DLB diagnosis, the prescription of an LAI-PP as a first-line strategy should be carefully evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Orsolini
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Polytechnic University of Marche , 60126 , Ancona , Italy
| | - Diana Corona
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Polytechnic University of Marche , 60126 , Ancona , Italy
| | - Virginio Salvi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Polytechnic University of Marche , 60126 , Ancona , Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Polytechnic University of Marche , 60126 , Ancona , Italy
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Taomoto D, Kanemoto H, Satake Y, Yoshiyama K, Iwase M, Hashimoto M, Ikeda M. Case report: Delusional infestation in dementia with Lewy bodies. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1051067. [PMID: 36440429 PMCID: PMC9686401 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1051067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delusional infestation is characterized by delusions of being infested with parasites, vermin, or small insects and is frequently accompanied by tactile and visual hallucinations. Herein, we report two cases of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) with delusional infestation. CASE PRESENTATION Case 1 was an 83-year-old man. At the age of 75, he began to show symptoms of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. At the age of 83, he began to complain of visual hallucinations of people and delusional infestation with tactile and visual hallucinations of insects, resulting in the use of insecticides for non-existent insects. He also complained of mild amnesia and was admitted to our psychiatric ward for evaluation and treatment. After admission, the delusional infestation disappeared without any new medication. Based on our examinations, he was diagnosed with probable DLB with delusional infestation. He was treated with 5 mg/day of donepezil hydrochloride; his visual and tactile hallucinations disappeared, and the delusional infestation had not recurred at the 1-year follow-up. Case 2 was a 69-year-old woman. At the age of 60, she underwent clipping for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). At the age of 65, she began to have visual hallucinations of people. At the age of 67, she began to complain of visual illusions in which she mistook lint for insects. At the age of 69, she developed delusional infestation and mild amnesia. She took various actions to get rid of these non-existent insects, including insecticide use, consulting an exterminator, and visiting several dermatologists. She eventually burnt her leg in an attempt to kill the non-existent insects. Based on our examinations, she was diagnosed with prodromal DLB in addition to SAH sequelae. We determined that her delusional infestation was caused by DLB rather than SAH sequelae based on the course of her symptoms. She was treated with a combination of 3 mg/day of donepezil hydrochloride and 12.5 mg/day of quetiapine. Thereafter, the delusional infestation partially improved, and she took no further action against non-existent insects. CONCLUSION Delusional infestation may be caused by DLB. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) may be effective for delusional infestation in DLB, although antipsychotics may also be needed in severe cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Taomoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hideki Kanemoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuto Satake
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kenji Yoshiyama
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Masao Iwase
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Mamoru Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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