Eighteen needles to forget…an unnamed past

Abstract Lasthénie de Ferjol syndrome is a very rare psychiatric illness that occurs mainly in women. It is characterized by severe recurrent iron-deficiency anemia caused be repeated episodes self-induced blood-letting. We report the case of a young homosexual male repeatedly admitted to various ho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2007-07, Vol.14 (5), p.304-306
Main Authors: Piccillo, Giovita A., MD, Miele, Luca, MD, PhD Studentship, Mondati, Enrico G.M., MD, Scuderi, Rosario, MD, Nicolosi, Maurizio, MD, Forgione, Alessandra, MD, Gabrieli, Maria L., MD, Cefalo, Consuelo, MD, Gasbarrini, Giovanni, MD, Grieco, Antonio, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anemia
Factitious disorder
Lasthenie de Ferjol syndrome
Microcytic anemia
Pathology
Psychotherapy
Self-induced blood-letting
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Summary:Abstract Lasthénie de Ferjol syndrome is a very rare psychiatric illness that occurs mainly in women. It is characterized by severe recurrent iron-deficiency anemia caused be repeated episodes self-induced blood-letting. We report the case of a young homosexual male repeatedly admitted to various hospitals for severe hypochromic anemia. We discovered that the anemia was indeed due to psychotic self-provoked hemorrhages. Based on this experience and a review of the few cases reported in the literature, we discuss issues of early diagnosis, management and treatment of Lasthénie de Ferjol patients.
ISSN:1752-928X
1878-7487
DOI:10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.07.005