Conversion disorder in children and adolescents: a 4-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the outcome of conversion disorder in children and adolescents and to identify factors affecting the prognosis.


METHODS
Forty adolescents with conversion disorder were reevaluated 4 years after their initial interview. Changes in demographic and clinical data and the presence of any mood and anxiety disorders were recorded using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder (SCID-I). In addition, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied.


RESULTS
Thirty-four patients (85%) had completely recovered from their conversion symptoms and two patients had improved (5%), whereas only four (10%) were unchanged. Fourteen (35%) patients received the diagnosis of mood and/or anxiety disorder. Favourable outcome was associated with early diagnosis (P=.04) and good premorbid adjustment (P=.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Conversion disorder has a favourable outcome in children and adolescents. However, mood and/or anxiety disorders are encountered at a considerable rate in these patients even after recovery from conversion symptoms. Long clinical follow-up seems appropriate in children and adolescents with conversion disorder.
Pehlivantürk
Berna
B
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, PK 67 Samanpazari 06242, Ankara, Turkey. bpturk@gen.hun.edu.tr
Unal
Fatih
F
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D017678:Sex Distribution