Citation

Sneddon I, Sneddon J. Br. Med. J. BMJ 1975; 3(5982): 527-530.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1164617

PMCID

PMC1674365

Abstract

Forty-three patients, 38 women and 5 men, with self-inflicted skin lesions were studied. Thirty-three were followed up for up to 22 years. In most cases dermatitis artefacta was only one incident in a long history of psychogenic illness. Of the 43 patients, 13 (30%), 12 women and one man, continued to produce lesions or were disabled with other psychiatric disorders more than 12 years after the onset of symptoms. Prognosis was difficult but recovery seemed to occur when the patient's life circumstances changed rather than as a result of treatment.

Language: en