Corticosteroid-induced psychosis: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction

Steroid psychosis still presents many unsettled clinical aspects. Despite several reviews and case reports are available, modes of onset and recovery need a more accurate description. We will focus on a 53-year-old woman who was hospitalized against her will because of her agitated psychotic state. Her symptoms were indicative of an acute psychotic disorder resulting from the use of corticosteroids. We considered it important to report this case because corticosteroids have been widely prescribed since about 1950 to treat a broad spectrum of somatic illnesses and to emphasize the relevance of the dose of steroids in this case.

Objectives

We describe a case of substance-induced psychotic disorder resulting from corticosteroids administration and we review the scientific literature about this topic.

Aims

To obtain more information about the incidence of steroid-induced psychotic symptoms, the relation between the type of steroids, its dose and the clinical presentation, the most important risk factors and how to prevent psychotic episodes during steroids-treatment.

Methods

After discussing the case, we studied the literature systematically using official medical browsers.

Results

Very little reliable evidence has been available relating to steroid-induced psychosis.

Conclusions

There is much to learn about adverse psychiatric reactions to corticosteroid treatment. It should be improved awareness of the limited available knowledge and to stimulate research aimed at improved methods of prevention, recognition and treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.