Mindru Florina Madalina, Bumbu Adrian Gheorghe, Faur Darian
Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.
Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
Pharmacy (Basel). 2025 Mar 16;13(2):43. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy13020043.
Ekbom Syndrome, also known as Delusional Parasitosis (DP), is considered a rare psychiatric condition. Based on diagnostic criteria, it is characterized by the strong belief of being infested with various parasites, as well as the presence of perceptual disturbances, usually tactile and/or visual hallucinations. The syndrome can manifest idiopathically or in connection with other medical conditions and substance use. Diagnosis is challenging, as patients tend to pursue dermatological care initially. This case report describes an 81-year-old female diagnosed with Ekbom Syndrome, presenting with severe anxiety, insomnia, and persistent delusions of infestation. Initial treatment with low-dose Risperidone (2 mg/day) was ineffective, requiring a dose escalation to 4 mg/day. However, the patient's nonadherence to follow-up limited the assessment of long-term outcomes. This case highlights key clinical challenges in elderly patients, particularly dose titration, treatment response, and adherence issues. Comparative analysis with prior case reports suggests that higher doses of Risperidone (3-6 mg/day) may be required for symptom remission, but long-term outcomes remain uncertain. Additionally, nonadherence remains a major barrier, underscoring the need for structured monitoring and caregiver involvement. These findings offer insights into antipsychotic strategies for Ekbom Syndrome, highlighting individualized pharmacotherapy, long-term follow-up, and adherence support in elderly patients.
埃克博姆综合征，也称为妄想性寄生虫病（DP），被认为是一种罕见的精神疾病。根据诊断标准，其特征是强烈相信自己感染了各种寄生虫，以及存在感知障碍，通常是触觉和/或视觉幻觉。该综合征可特发性出现，或与其他医疗状况和物质使用有关。诊断具有挑战性，因为患者最初往往会寻求皮肤科治疗。本病例报告描述了一名81岁女性被诊断为埃克博姆综合征，表现为严重焦虑、失眠和持续的感染妄想。最初使用低剂量利培酮（2毫克/天）治疗无效，需要将剂量增加到4毫克/天。然而，患者不坚持随访限制了对长期结果的评估。本病例突出了老年患者的关键临床挑战，特别是剂量滴定、治疗反应和依从性问题。与先前病例报告的比较分析表明，可能需要更高剂量的利培酮（3 - 6毫克/天）才能缓解症状，但长期结果仍不确定。此外，不依从仍然是一个主要障碍，强调了结构化监测和护理人员参与的必要性。这些发现为埃克博姆综合征的抗精神病策略提供了见解，突出了老年患者个体化药物治疗、长期随访和依从性支持的重要性。
