Pharmacotherapy for primary delusional jealousy, a retrospective observational study of 32 cases with Othello syndrome

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2018 Mar;33(2):92-97. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000207.

Abstract

To determine whether primary delusional jealousy can be treated effectively with antipsychotics or antidepressants, and whether any clinical variables are associated with response to pharmacotherapy, we carried out a retrospective case series observational study by reviewing clinical records of patients with an International Classification of Disease, 9th ed., diagnostic code of 297 (delusional disorders) who were treated at the Department of Psychiatry of a university affiliated hospital from January 2010 to December 2015. Only those records showing obvious delusional jealousy not secondary to other medical conditions, dementia, or schizophrenia were scrutinized thoroughly with respect to types of pharmacotherapy, treatment response, and other demographic and clinical variables likely to be associated with clinical outcomes. All except one of 32 patients, 16 men and 16 women, between 37 and 79 (60.9±10.6) years of age, were treated with low-dose antipsychotics. The general response was favorable as 19 (59.4%) were rated as good and 13 as inadequate responders (seven partial and six limited). Compared with antipsychotic monotherapy, concomitant therapy with antidepressants had a higher rate of good response, although statistically insignificant (75 vs. 53%, P=0.21). Younger age (P=0.01) and presentation at the index visit with their suspected unfaithful spouse were associated with a good response (P=0.036); comorbidity with delusions other than the jealous type was associated with a poor response (P=0.006). The overall outcome for delusional jealousy looks promising if the patients can accept pharmacotherapy in an outpatient setting.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Delusions / classification
  • Delusions / drug therapy
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Jealousy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Quetiapine Fumarate* / administration & dosage
  • Quetiapine Fumarate* / adverse effects
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid* / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid* / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid* / psychology
  • Sulpiride* / administration & dosage
  • Sulpiride* / pharmacokinetics
  • Taiwan
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Sulpiride