Comorbidity between delusional disorder and sensory deficits. Results from the deliranda case register

Abstract

Introduction

Sensory deficits such as blindness and deafness are very common forms of disability, affecting over 300 million people worldwide according to World Health Organization estimates. These conditions can lead to misinterpretations of the environment, which may contribute to the development of a delusional disorder in predisposed people.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss across delusional disorder.

Aims

The aim is to provide useful information regarding this frequent, often disregarded, comorbidity.

Methods

Our results proceed from the Andalusian delusional disorder case-register (DelirAnda). We reviewed 1927 clinical histories of patients diagnosed of delusional disorder. Upon having verified the diagnosis following DSM-V criteria, we recollected data on the prevalence of blindness and hearing loss, which were defined based on clinical diagnosis.

Results

One thousand four hundred and fifty-two patients matched DSM-5 delusional disorder criteria. Among them, 49.8% of our sample were women. The overall prevalence of sensory deficits was 7.4%, 3.5% of the patients with delusional disorder were blind, while 3.9% of them suffered from hearing loss.

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with previous studies, such as the Deliremp study, which found a 5.7% prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients. These results show a higher prevalence of sensory deficit among delusional disorder patients compared with the general population. However, causality could not be established. Further study should be undertaken regarding the relationship between these two conditions.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.