Medical-legal approach to a patient with factitious disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.16925/2145-9649.2019.01.05Keywords:
factitious disorders, legal framework, legal medicine, diagnosisAbstract
Introduction: Factitious disorders are rare pathologies and therefore underdiagnosed. That is why health staff have little exposure and experience in how to approach and treat these types of patients. The interest of this article is to present a case and propose a form of management of these patients so as to prevent the doctor from entering into legal problems. Methods and materials: The article takes the form of a case report that is accompanied by a literature review. 14 articles were found that had relevant data for the presentation of this topic. In addition, the Criminal Code of the State of Nuevo León was used as the basis for the legal part of this document. Case history: This case refers to a 49-year-old woman who presented a progressive weakness that did not respond to an organic cause and which was also aggravated by the presence of relatives.
Results and discussion: Factitious disorders are characterized by the invention, production or falsification of
both physical and psychological symptoms that simulate a physical or mental illness. The profile of these
patients makes it difficult to approach these cases. The professional dealing with the patient must be cautious with the legal implications that it may entail.
Conclusions: Factitious disorders are poorly diagnosed. The formation of a multidisciplinary team is the most
accepted course of action and the one to which those concerned should aspire.
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