Patterns of Conversion Disorder cases reported at neurological outpatient clinic.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to see the commonest presenting symptoms of conversion disorder attending Neurology Department Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro/Hyderabad. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Neurology Outpatient at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan. Period: September 2017 to August 2019. Material & Methods: Sample size of 111 was estimated using Open epi online sample size calculator by taking statistics of conversion disorder as 63%, margin of error as 9% and 95% confidence level. All patients of age more than 9 years of either gender diagnosed as conversion disorder were included in the study using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Results: A total of 111 patients were registered. 33 (29.7%) were male and 78 (70.3%) were females with male to female ratio of 0.4. The age ranged from 10 years to 30 years and the mean age was 23.30 ± 9.94. Out of 111 patients 47 (42.3%) were married and 64 (57.7%) were unmarried. On the other hand majority of patients having conversion disorders 51 (45.9%) had no formal education or educated up to primary 28 (25.2%). Most common symptom was episodic loss of consciousness 24 (21.6%) followed by seizure like activity 23 (20.7%), aphonia 9 (8.1%) & headache 7 (6.3%). Conclusion: The results from our study showed conversion disorders with unexplained symptoms are relatively common in outpatient neurology clinics.