Abstract :
Background: Strio-Pallido-Dentate calcification can be idiopathic (Fahr's disease) or secondary (Fahr's syndrome). Psychiatric disturbances were the major presenting symptoms.
Objectives: determination and assessment of psychiatric presenting symptoms of Fahr's disease/syndrome, and sociodemographic and clinical variables, and study the statistical significant of each variable.
Methods: patients attending psychiatric unit, during period of study, with Fahr's disease/syndrome were assessed by consultant psychiatrist. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were assessed. Structured clinical interview and MMSE was done. Data analysis and statistical significance and was done.
Results: total 53 patients; Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (Fahr's disease) (FD) 75.5%, secondary calcification (Fahr's syndrome) 24.5%. The age range 35–78 years, mean 56.4±13 years, 64% married, 88% of higher education. Psychiatric presenting symptoms were; schizophrenia 32.1%, depression 18.9%, mania17.0%, bipolar disorder 17.0% and dementia 15.1%. Negative investigation was 3%, cognitive impairment 17%, seizures11.3%, movement disorders.5%, vertigo 26.4%, headache 9.4%, unsteadiness and difficulty of swallowing 56.6%. Psychiatric morbidity was significantly associated with; cognitive impairment (P
Keyword :
Fahr's disease; Fahr's syndrome; psychiatric presentation; schizophrenia; depression.