Cho Ray Hospital doctor 'clears name' of Wilson's patient who was misdiagnosed as mentally ill for many years

Female patient was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia at the time of admission to Cho Ray Hospital – Photo: Provided by the hospital

On November 5, Cho Ray Hospital announced that it had successfully treated a female patient with Wilson's disease who had been mistaken for schizophrenia for many years.

The patient is Ms. MT (24 years old, Khanh Hoa), transferred to the local hospital with a diagnosis of dystonia and schizophrenia.

Ms. T. was hospitalized with weak limbs, unable to sit, stand, speak, or take care of herself... almost disabled.

Previously, in 6th grade, T. began to show signs of lack of concentration and poor academic performance, even though he had no head injury or history of encephalitis.

The family then took T. to a local mental hospital for examination and was diagnosed with mental retardation and schizophrenia, but treatment did not cure him.

Four years ago, T.'s symptoms became more severe, such as frequent headaches, poor concentration, personality changes, inability to walk, choking on food, etc., so he was taken to Cho Ray Hospital for treatment.

After a period of treatment, patient MT's health was stable and he could walk and live like a normal person - Photo: THU HIEN

Dr. Le Huu Phuoc - Deputy Head of the Hepatitis Department, Cho Ray Hospital - said that at the hospital, T. was examined by doctors, tested for gene mutations, and suspected of having Wilson's disease.

The results were as expected, T. had a mutation in the ATP7B gene that causes a rare disease called Wilson's disease. Copper accumulates in the body, causing damage to muscle tissue leading to neurological symptoms.

Having correctly diagnosed the disease, the doctors prescribed the patient copper-removing medication. In the initial stages, the patient's medication use was strictly controlled, necessary tests were performed to adjust the dosage, and side effects of the medication were monitored to balance the amount of copper in the body.

“Because this disease is caused by a genetic mutation, there is currently no cure in the world. For the remaining years of life, patients are treated with oral zinc to prevent copper absorption from the small intestine, combined with a reasonable diet,” said Dr. Phuoc.

Up to now, T. has been able to function and return to life like a normal person.

Ms. KT (Khanh Hoa), the patient's mother, said that she had taken her child to many places for treatment, spending a lot of money but the disease was not cured. She even took her child to a shaman for treatment, spending tens of millions of dong each time but there was no progress, the family was almost desperate.

What are the psychiatric symptoms of Wilson's disease?

Dr. Nguyen Bao Xuan Thanh, head of the hepatitis department at Cho Ray Hospital, said Wilson’s disease is a rare disease and patients are easily misdiagnosed as having a mental illness. The disease is caused by a mutation in the ATP7B gene, leading to copper accumulation in tissues, causing damage to multiple organs.

When copper deposits in the body, it causes symptoms such as: muscle tone disorders, difficulty swallowing, mental disorders...

Dr. Phuoc recommends that when patients have unexplained liver, neurological, or psychiatric symptoms, especially young people, they should consider Wilson's disease. This is a treatable genetic disease.

“Detecting Wilson's disease also has the meaning of screening family members, in order to detect the disease early and provide effective preventive treatment,” said Dr. Phuoc.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bac-si-benh-vien-cho-ray-giai-oan-cho-benh-nhan-mac-wilson-bi-chan-doan-nham-tam-than-nhieu-nam-20241105104816631.htm