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%) |