Freudenmann and Lepping listed minimal criteria for the diagnosis of delusional infestation (DI). The authors are from the University of Ulm and North Wales NHS Trust.
Minimal criteria for the diagnosis of delusional infestation:
(1) The patient is convinced that s/he is infested by some form of pathogenic agent.
(2) The patient reports abnormal sensations caused by the infestation, usually in, on or under the skin.
(3) The absence of any medical or microbiological evidence of a pathogen after a thorough evaluation.
Variable features:
(1) location(s) of the body involved
(2) presence of delusions, hallucinations or other psychotic features
(3) duration, from minutes to years
(4) nature of the infesting agent, usually insects but covering a broad range of possibilities
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
