Delusional Disorder: Clinical and Demographic Features and Outcome

Background: Delusional disorder is a rather an uncommon psychotic disorder. This study is
designed to describe condition of such patients in our community and investigate possible
role of cultural effect on features of delusional disorder in our community.

Methods:: This cross sectional study investigated admitted patients during 1999-2002. Demographic
statistics (e.g. age, gender, occupation, educational and marital status) and clinical
features in patients and response to therapy are described.

Results: Sixty eight patients were enrolled. From the total of 68 patients, 54 (79.5%) were
male and 14(20.5%) were female (M/F ratio: 3.8). These patients were 0.4% of all admitted
patients. Persecutory delusion was the most common while grandiose and erotomanic subtypes
were rare. Six patients (8.8%) had insight to the disorder in some extents. Auditory
hallucinations, depressed mood and homicidal thoughts were common established symptoms.
Loose of job and legal problems were common complications. Following treatment with new
anti psychotic drugs; 4.5% had complete response and 84% had relative response.

Conclusion: Clinical symptoms of the disorder in our community are similar to other populations,
but we noticed low fraction of female patients to be admitted. Delusional disorders as a
condition which may lead to serious problems will be controlled promptly with assistance of
an aware family.