Is collectionism a diagnostic clue for Diogenes syndrome?
BACKGROUND
Diogenes syndrome (DS) is characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, and social withdrawal. Despite having been described decades ago, it is still difficult to persue a correct diagnosis in primary care clinics.


METHODS
This paper reports a case of an elderly man with extreme self neglect and an abnormal collecting pattern whose condition remained undetected for many years. His collectionism was manifested with a tendency to store items in an organized manner but without a clear purpose.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors suggest that the presence of collectionism could be a helpful clue towards diagnosis of DS in similar cases.
Montero-Odasso
Manuel
M
Geriatric Assessment Unit (EFA) and Geriatric Medicine Program, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. manuel.montero@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Schapira
Marcelo
M
Duque
Gustavo
G
Chercovsky
Mariana
M
Fernández-Otero
Lucas
L
Kaplan
Roberto
R
Camera
Luis A
LA
D000368:Aged; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013577:Syndrome; D016312:Treatment Refusal