Psychiatric disorders in patients with Fabry's disease

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and etiology of psychiatric complications in patients with Fabry's disease. Method-Retrospective analysis and review of the records of thirty-three patients with confirmed Fabry's disease.

Results: Six patients (18%) developed psychiatric disorders. Five patients suffered depression and two of these patients committed suicide. One patient developed an acute confusional episode with subsequent development of behavioral changes as a complication of cerebrovascular disease.

Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders, most commonly depression, complicate Fabry's disease and contribute to the morbidity and mortality of this disease.