Brink T L, Capri D, DeNeeve V, Janakes C, Oliveira C
J Nerv Ment Dis. 1979 Apr;167(4):224-8.
Hypochondriasis and paranoia are common psychopathologies of aging. The former may be secondary to depression or organic brain syndrome, whereas the latter may be secondary to sensory impairment or organic brain syndrome. Paranoid schizophrenia, with delusions of grandeur, is rare in later life. The authors classified 273 institutionalized geriatric patients by means of staff ratings into categories such as lucid and alert, confused, hypochondriacal, paranoid, etc. Among confused patients there was a correlation of .45 (p less than .001) between hypochondriasis and paranoia. Even among nonconfused patients, there was a slight positive correlation. The authors concluded that geriatric paranoia and hypochrondriasis have similar structure (delusion) and functions (safeguarding self-esteem and manipulating others). An interpersonal perspective can also provide guidelines for when to treat these conditions.
疑病症和偏执狂是常见的老年期精神病理学表现。前者可能继发于抑郁症或器质性脑综合征，而后者可能继发于感觉障碍或器质性脑综合征。伴有夸大妄想的偏执型精神分裂症在老年期较为罕见。作者通过工作人员的评级将273名老年住院患者分类为清醒警觉、意识模糊、疑病、偏执等类别。在意识模糊的患者中，疑病症和偏执狂之间的相关性为0.45（p小于0.001）。即使在意识未模糊的患者中，也存在轻微的正相关。作者得出结论，老年期偏执狂和疑病症具有相似的结构（妄想）和功能（维护自尊和操纵他人）。人际视角也可以为何时治疗这些病症提供指导。
