Psychosis Associated with Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus

Abstract

The occurrence of mental disorder of various degrees of severity has been often observed in patients receiving treatment with corticosteroids. 1 In cases of lupus erythematosus disseminatus which are being treated by cortisone or a cortisone-like compound, the assumption that mental symptoms are due to this treatment may be an error. It is more likely that the mental disorder is due to the underlying disease process. It is also quite possible that an insufficient dose of the steroid may be responsible for the appearance of mental symptoms. Furthermore, the mode of onset of the psychic disorder, its duration, and reversibility may be correlated with the nature of the underlying brain pathology. This past year we have had the opportunity on the Tulane Psychiatric Service at the Charity Hospital in New Orleans and at the Southeast Louisiana Hospital, Mandeville, La., to observe 3 patients with psychotic behavior who were