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Review of Othello Syndrome and its Relationship with Neurological Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

P. Michielsen ,
L. De Jonge ,
S. Petrykiv  and
M. Arts
P. Michielsen
Affiliation:
Mental Health Western Northern Brabant, General Adult Psychiatry, Halsteren, The Netherlands
L. De Jonge
Affiliation:
Mental Health Western Northern Brabant, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry, Halsteren, The Netherlands
S. Petrykiv
Affiliation:
University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Groningen, The Netherlands
M. Arts
Affiliation:
University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract

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Introduction

Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy. It predominantly occurs in the context of specific psychiatric or neurological disorders. Othello syndrome is associated with mental changes including excessive aggression, hostility, and irritability. Patients with Othello syndrome misinterpret the behaviour of the spouse or sexual partner to provide evidence for their false perception.

Objectives and aims

The purpose of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of Othello syndrome as a result of specific neurological diseases.

Methods

The study design was a retrospective case series of patients with Othello syndrome. We searched the electronic databases PubMed and Embase for review articles and original research using the search terms ‘Othello syndrome, Morbid Jealousy, Pathological Jealousy, Delusional Jealousy, Delusions and Infidelity, Delusions of Jealousy or Infidelity’.

Results

In the present study of 95 case reports, the relationship between Othello syndrome and a neurological pathology was described. This syndrome was most commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases (59%), followed by medication induced Othello syndrome (13.7%) and vascular dementia (8.4%). Lesions particularly in the right (dorsolateral) frontal lobes were associated with this syndrome.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Othello syndrome occurs most frequently in patients with right frontal lobe dysfunction. It is predominantly related with Lewy Body Disease and Alzheimer's disease. Clinicians should keep an “index of suspicion” regarding dementia when Othello syndrome presents in elderly persons.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
e-poster walk: Classification of mental disorders and cultural psychiatry
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 41 , Issue S1: Abstract of the 25th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2017 , pp. S225
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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