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New-Onset Amnestic Syndrome in AIDS Patients With Past History of Alcohol Abuse

New-Onset Amnestic Syndrome in AIDS Patients With Past History of Alcohol Abuse Received April 16, 1998; revised May 20, 1998; accepted July 9, 1998. From the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Address reprint requests to Dr. Viswanathan, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Campus Box 127, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Key Words: Case Report • Amnesia • AIDS There have been reports of Wernicke's encephalopathy cases in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients,1–3 but to our knowledge there is no report of amnestic (Korsakoff's) syndrome cases without preceding signs of Wernicke's encephalopathy in AIDS patients. It is important to recognize amnestic syndrome, as it may be reversible if treated promptly. However, it is easy to miss the diagnosis of an amnestic syndrome if a history of Wernicke's encephalopathy is not present or is not elicited. We report three cases of new-onset amnestic syndrome in AIDS patients with past history of alcohol abuse, but who were currently abstinent. Case ReportsCase 1. Ms. A. was a 68-year-old woman who had been medically hospitalized with AIDS. She had past history of heavy alcohol abuse but had been abstinent for the previous year. The reason for her hospitalization was uncontrolled hypertension. She also had http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Psychosomatics American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc (Journal)

New-Onset Amnestic Syndrome in AIDS Patients With Past History of Alcohol Abuse

Psychosomatics , Volume 39 (6): 551 – Dec 1, 1998

New-Onset Amnestic Syndrome in AIDS Patients With Past History of Alcohol Abuse

Psychosomatics , Volume 39 (6): 551 – Dec 1, 1998

Abstract

Received April 16, 1998; revised May 20, 1998; accepted July 9, 1998. From the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Address reprint requests to Dr. Viswanathan, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Campus Box 127, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Key Words: Case Report • Amnesia • AIDS There have been reports of Wernicke's encephalopathy cases in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients,1–3 but to our knowledge there is no report of amnestic (Korsakoff's) syndrome cases without preceding signs of Wernicke's encephalopathy in AIDS patients. It is important to recognize amnestic syndrome, as it may be reversible if treated promptly. However, it is easy to miss the diagnosis of an amnestic syndrome if a history of Wernicke's encephalopathy is not present or is not elicited. We report three cases of new-onset amnestic syndrome in AIDS patients with past history of alcohol abuse, but who were currently abstinent. Case ReportsCase 1. Ms. A. was a 68-year-old woman who had been medically hospitalized with AIDS. She had past history of heavy alcohol abuse but had been abstinent for the previous year. The reason for her hospitalization was uncontrolled hypertension. She also had

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Publisher
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc (Journal)
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0033-3182
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Received April 16, 1998; revised May 20, 1998; accepted July 9, 1998. From the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Address reprint requests to Dr. Viswanathan, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Campus Box 127, Brooklyn, NY 11203. Key Words: Case Report • Amnesia • AIDS There have been reports of Wernicke's encephalopathy cases in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients,1–3 but to our knowledge there is no report of amnestic (Korsakoff's) syndrome cases without preceding signs of Wernicke's encephalopathy in AIDS patients. It is important to recognize amnestic syndrome, as it may be reversible if treated promptly. However, it is easy to miss the diagnosis of an amnestic syndrome if a history of Wernicke's encephalopathy is not present or is not elicited. We report three cases of new-onset amnestic syndrome in AIDS patients with past history of alcohol abuse, but who were currently abstinent. Case ReportsCase 1. Ms. A. was a 68-year-old woman who had been medically hospitalized with AIDS. She had past history of heavy alcohol abuse but had been abstinent for the previous year. The reason for her hospitalization was uncontrolled hypertension. She also had

Journal

PsychosomaticsAmerican Psychiatric Publishing, Inc (Journal)

Published: Dec 1, 1998

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