Factitious torpid skin ulcers. New concepts and classification of chronic factitious disorders

Chronic factitious disorders are diseases diagnosed after the discarding of organic causes. There are determined diagnostic data which may be suspicious: multiple hospitalization, submission to many invasive techniques and personal situations motivating simulation. The case of a 34 year old woman presenting a factitious disorder with dermal ulcers, subcutaneous abscesses and simulation of hematuria is described. An analysis of the concept and classification of this clinical picture is made. Following diagnostic suspicion, a search for objects or substances with which the patient was able to make the lesions was required to determine the appropriate therapy.