Work

Corticosteroid-Induced Psychosis: A Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Glucocorticoids, prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, are linked to psychiatric side effects, including corticosteroid-induced psychosis. This condition may manifest as affective, organic, or cognitive disturbances, and although the exact pathophysiology is not fully understood, it is believed that corticosteroids impact the hippocampus and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing neuropsychiatric changes. This report presents two cases of psychosis following corticosteroid use: a 59-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis and a 62-year-old woman with asthmatic bronchitis. Both cases demonstrated rapid symptom improvement with antipsychotic treatment, emphasizing the need for early intervention. Despite the unclear pathophysiology, corticosteroid-induced psychosis generally has a positive prognosis when promptly managed with drug discontinuation and pharmacological treatment.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.81515

Authors: Stefano Canessa-Muñoz, Silvia Yelmo-Cruz, Ana Hamilton-Lopez, Claudia Baez-Marrero

Institution: Hospital Universitario de Canarias

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409004586