Citation

Hakola HP. J. Clin. Psychiatry 1990; 51(1): 21-24.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Kuopio University, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Physicians Postgraduate Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2295586

Abstract

Polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLO-SL) is a rare hereditary disease affecting both brain and bones. Skeletal symptoms begin in early adulthood and neuropsychiatric symptoms at approximately age 30. Progressive dementia associated with an accentuated frontal lobe syndrome handicaps the patients. The author describes inadequate psychosocial reactions of the spouses of 21 Finnish PLO-SL patients. The reactions included rejection and divorce in 8 cases and rejection without divorce in 1 case. Jealousy, violence, and alcoholism were common in male spouses. The author suggests that some of the spouses' negative psychosocial reactions may be lessened if the family is informed early about the nature of the disorder.

Language: en