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Table 3 Clinical characteristics of FDIS

From: A descriptive, retrospective case series of patients with factitious disorder imposed on self

Factors leading to diagnosis of FDIS (n = 49)a

 History of factitious disorder diagnosed in another hospital

6 (12.2%)

 Extensive use of healthcare services

11 (22.4%)

 Investigations normal or inconclusive

34 (69.4%)

 Inconsistent, incomplete anamnesis and/or patient refusal to allow access to outside information sources

10 (20.4%)

 Atypical presentation

29 (59.2%)

 Evidence or indication of falsification

10 (20.4%)

 Evocative patient behaviour or comments

16 (32.7%)

 Treatment failure

14 (28.6%)

Mode of presentation of FDIS (n = 49)a

 Falsely reported only

14 (28.6%)

 Feigned

16 (32.7%)

 Induced

25 (51%)

Type of sign or symptom (n = 49)a

 Physical symptom

11 (22.4%)

 Physical sign

46 (93.9%)

 Psychological symptom or sign

0 (0%)

Inpatient hospitalization related to FDIS in the institution (n = 49)

 Yes

35 (71.4%)

  Including intensive care unit

9 (18.4%)

 No

14 (28.6%)

Place of diagnosis of FDIS (n = 49)

 Consultation

13 (26.5%)

 Emergency department

9 (18.4%)

 Hospitalization

27 (55.1%)

Discussion of the diagnosis with the patient (n = 49)

 Confronting with inconsistencies

8 (16.3%)

 Questions asked around self-induction

14 (28.6%)

 Notification of the absence of organic diagnosis

6 (12.2%)

 Offer of psychological or psychiatric care without discussion of the diagnosis

9 (18.4%)

 No discussion of the diagnosis or offer of psychological or psychiatric care

12 (24.5%)

Discontinuation of follow-up after diagnosis (n = 40)b

 Yes

32 (80%)

  By the doctor

26 (65%)

  By the patient

6 (15%)

 No

8 (20%)

Evolution of FDIS in the facility after diagnosis (n = 49)

 Absence of recurrence in the facility

12 (24.5%)

 Chronicisation of the same disorder or recurrence of FDIS in another mode in the facility

22 (44.9%)

 Patient never returned to the institution

15 (30.6%)

  1. aSeveral possibilities for each patient
  2. bMissing data