Comorbidity between delusional disorder and sensory deficits. Results from the deliranda case register

Abstract

IntroductionSensory deficits such as blindness and deafness are very common forms of disability, affecting over 300 million people worldwide according to World Health Organization estimates. These conditions can lead to misinterpretations of the environment, which may contribute to the development of a delusional disorder in predisposed people.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss across delusional disorder.AimsThe aim is to provide useful information regarding this frequent, often disregarded, comorbidity.MethodsOur results proceed from the Andalusian delusional disorder case-register (DelirAnda). We reviewed 1927 clinical histories of patients diagnosed of delusional disorder. Upon having verified the diagnosis following DSM-V criteria, we recollected data on the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss, which were defined based on clinical diagnosis.ResultsOne thousand four hundred and fifty-two patients matched DSM-5 delusional disorder criteria. Among them, 49.8% of our sample were women. The overall prevalence of sensory deficits was 7.4%, 3.5% of the patients with delusional disorder were blind, while 3.9% of them suffered from hearing loss.ConclusionsOur results are consistent with previous studies, such as the Deliremp study, which found a 5.7% prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients. These results show a higher prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients compared with the general population. However, causality could not be established. Further study should be undertaken regarding the relationship between these two conditions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Functional and Clinical Outcomes of Delusional Disorder and Schizophrenia Patients after First Episode Psychosis: a 4-year Follow-up Study

“…However, the included studies dated before the standardisation of DD diagnostic criteria, and therefore lacked appreciation for the different manifestations of the disorder. Other studies suggest a comparable co-morbidity rate with affective disorders and suicidal behaviour between DD and SZ [12,13], though DD demonstrate a greater susceptibility to physical conditions [14] than in SZ [15].…”

Primary and Secondary Prevention in Delusional Disorder

“…28 More recent studies have also investigated the prevalence of vision and hearing loss in DD. 29 In a sample of 1,452 patients fulfilling DSM-5 DD criteria, 7.4% were found to have sensory deficits: vision loss (3.5%) and hearing loss (3.9%). These findings were in line with previous reports from de Portugal et al who found a 5.7% prevalence of sensory deficits in DD.…”

“…34,36 Health screening Screening programs for sensory impairment and provision of treatment. 29 Suicide prevention Distress phone lines and public health announcements. 3 They found that men had a significantly higher frequency of premorbid substance use than women (30.3% vs. 11.3%).…”

Collaboration between Psychiatrists and Other Allied Medical Specialists for the Treatment of Delusional Disorders

“…In DD populations, Porras-Segovia and colleagues [ 30 ] investigated the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss as part of an Andalusian DD case-register study (DelirAnda). The total sample of 1452 patients, all fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for DD, showed a 7.4% prevalence of sensory deficits: blindness (3.5%) and hearing loss (3.9%).…”