Psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis
Date
1992
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
To investigate referral patterns, initial diagnoses and clinical features of patients with neurosyphilis who present with psychiatric manifestations, records were kept of 21 such patients admitted to an acute psychiatric ward. In none of the 12 cases referred from primary care workers was the possibility of neurosyphilis considered. In only 3 cases was this diagnosis considered on admission to the psychiatric ward before serum serological test results were known. Commonest presenting symptoms were personality change (16 patients) and memory impairment (13 patients). Neurological signs or symptoms were also common, particularly absent pupillary reaction to light (5 patients) and buccolingual masticatory movements (5 patients). A positive serological test remains the single most important factor in identifying patients with neurosyphilis.
Description
CITATION: Roberts, M. C. & Emsley, R. A. 1992. Psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis. South African Medical Journal, 82:335-337.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Neurosyphilis