Differential Diagnosis Based on Age. Diagnostic Difficulties
IntroductionFollowing a case presented in our inpatient unit as well as various interdepartmental from internal medicine and other emergencies, we decided to conduct a literature review on the different organic causes that can trigger the onset of psychotic symptoms in elderly.ObjectivesA correct differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms in elderly.AimsLiterature review of the literature on the presentation of psychotic symptoms in the elderly.MethodsDescription of a clinical case and development of diagnostic hypotheses.Results and conclusionsFor several decades are experiencing a gradual aging of the population, which means that we are at the onset of clinical symptoms not described by classical authors. Furthermore, scientific advances make infectious causes (such as neurosyphilis was our first diagnostic hypothesis) are increasingly rare. The elderly usually has multiple comorbidities, which are receiving various treatments that must be ruled out possible adverse effects.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.