Abstract
Background
Mitochondrial disorders are underdiagnosed and the variable symptomatology, which is not always explained by the medical test results and often includes mental symptoms, can mimic somatoform disorder.
Method
Case report of a woman with multisystemic symptomatology arising from mitochondrial dysfunction diagnosed as somatoform disorder, which impaired her eligibility for incapacity benefit.
Result
Longitudinal follow-up, the synthesis of clinical symptoms, and laboratory data of the reported case suggested mitochondrial disease. Genetic testing proved the presence of the A3243G base substitution, the most common mutation of the mitochondrial DNA, presenting as MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes) syndrome.
Conclusion
The authors wish to demonstrate the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the diagnostic process when symptoms of somatoform disorder are present.
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Inczedy-Farkas, G., Remenyi, V., Meszaros, A. et al. MELAS syndrome mimicking somatoform disorder. cent.eur.j.med 6, 758–761 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-011-0096-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11536-011-0096-z