Delusional Disorder in Old Age: A Hypothesis-Driven Review of Recent Work Focusing on Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects, and Outcomes

Alexandre González-Rodríguez, Mary V. Seeman, Eduard Izquierdo, Mentxu Natividad, Armand Guàrdia, Eloïsa Román and José A. Monreal
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Alexandre González-Rodríguez: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
Mary V. Seeman: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 605 260 Heath Street West, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
Eduard Izquierdo: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
Mentxu Natividad: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
Armand Guàrdia: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
Eloïsa Román: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain
José A. Monreal: Department of Mental Health, Mutua Terrassa University Hospital, 5 Dr Robert Square, 08221 Terrassa, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: The theme, strength, and duration of a delusion are considered important in distinguishing one psychosis of old age from another. Research results, however, are mostly based on studies conducted on one form of psychosis, namely schizophrenia. The aim of this hypothesis-driven narrative review is to gather clinically important information about the psychosis identified as delusional disorder (DD), as it affects persons of senior age. We hypothesized that DD becomes relatively prevalent in old age, especially in women; and that it is associated with demonstrable brain changes, which, in turn, are associated with cognitive defects and poor pharmacological response, thus increasing the risk of aggression and suicide. Computerized searches in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted using the following search terms: (delusional disorder) AND (elderly OR old OR aged OR psychogeriatrics). A total of 16 recent studies (including case reports) were reviewed. Our hypotheses could not be definitively confirmed because research evidence is lacking. In order to improve eventual outcomes, our literature search demonstrates the need for more targeted, well-designed studies.

Keywords: delusional disorder; psychosis; antipsychotics; treatment; elderly (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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