Psychiatric syndromes in pernicious anaemia--a case report.
Surveys of psychiatric population had previously shown a high incidence of patients with low serum vitamin B12. A variety of psychiatric syndromes have been described, ranging from mild disturbance in mood state like depression to maniacal excitement; psychotic conditions like paranoid states and schizophrenia; and cognitive dysfunctions such as memory defect, delirium and dementia. A case of a 67-year-old Chinese lady suffering from pernicious anaemia, but presenting with prominent paranoid delusions is reported. Treatment with cyanocobalamine and anti-psychotic medication led to prompt resolution of her psychotic experience. Subsequently she developed a transient depressive syndrome which also responded well to a short course of antidepressant.
Ko
S M
SM
Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Liu
T C
TC
D000368:Aged; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010259:Paranoid Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013577:Syndrome; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications