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Psychiatric Aspects of Acute Porphyria: a Comprehensive Review

  • Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues (MB Riba, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this paper is to review psychiatric manifestations, comorbidities, and psychopharmacological management in individuals with acute porphyria (AP).

Recent Findings

Recent literature begins to clarify associations between AP, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychopathology.

Summary

Broad psychiatric symptoms have been associated to acute porphyria (AP) and correspond to a spectrum of heterogeneous manifestations such as anxiety, affective alterations, behavioral changes, personality, and psychotic symptoms. These symptoms may be difficult to identify as being related to porphyria since symptoms may arise at any time during the disease process. In addition, these patients may present psychiatric conditions secondary to the disease, such as adjustment disorder and substance use disorders. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of psychiatric manifestations positively impact the course of the disease.

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Acknowledgements

The editors would like to thank Dr. Luigi Grassi for taking the time to review this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. FundaMental Research Group, Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia

    Laura Duque-Serrano, Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez & Juan C. Molano-Eslava

  2. Universidad de los Andes, School of Medicine, Bogotá, Colombia

    Laura Duque-Serrano, Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez & Juan C. Molano-Eslava

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Dorothy Gotlib

  4. Head of Mental Health and Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia

    Juan C. Molano-Eslava

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  1. Laura Duque-Serrano
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  2. Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez
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  3. Dorothy Gotlib
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  4. Juan C. Molano-Eslava
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Correspondence to Juan C. Molano-Eslava.

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Laura Duque-Serrano, Liliana Patarroyo-Rodriguez, Dorothy Gotlib, and Juan C. Molano-Eslava declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues

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Duque-Serrano, L., Patarroyo-Rodriguez, L., Gotlib, D. et al. Psychiatric Aspects of Acute Porphyria: a Comprehensive Review. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 5 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0867-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0867-1

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