SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-An Unusual Presentation of Wilson's Disease as Psychosis and Altered Sensorium

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The document highlights a case of Wilson’s disease presenting with persistent altered mental status despite lactulose and rifaximin treatment for presumed hepatic encephalopathy. The patient also had abdominal distention and tenderness, along with psychiatric symptoms and behavioral changes.<br /><br />The discussion emphasizes that Wilson’s disease is rare, affecting about 1 in 30,000 people, and can be fatal by around age 40 without liver transplantation. It is classically associated with neurologic manifestations such as parkinsonism, hemiballismus, and dysarthria, but psychotic symptoms are an uncommon presentation.<br /><br />A key point is that although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) accounts for many cases of cirrhosis, Wilson’s disease should still be considered in the diagnostic workup of cirrhosis when neuropsychiatric symptoms are present. The overall educational goal is to recognize Wilson’s disease as a cause of psychiatric and behavioral changes and its association with neuropsychiatric morbidity.

Asset Subtitle

Michelle Egwudo

Meta Tag

Author List Khanh T. Nguyen, Michelle Egwudo, Olufunmilayo H. Obisesan

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Wilson Disease

Concept Altered Mental Status

Concept Psychiatric Symptoms

Concept Behavior Change

Concept Neuropsychiatric Symptom

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Presenting Author Michelle Egwudo

Track Adult

Keywords

Wilson's disease

hepatic encephalopathy

altered mental status

psychiatric symptoms

behavioral changes

cirrhosis

neuropsychiatric morbidity

liver transplantation

NAFLD

neurologic manifestations

Wilson Disease

Altered Mental Status

Psychiatric Symptoms

Behavior Change

Neuropsychiatric Symptom