Chronic Koro-like syndrome co-morbid with schizophrenia and history of cannabis abuse in an Egyptian patient : case report

Abstract EN

Koro, or Genital Retraction Syndrome (GRS), is a culture-bound syndrome, which was first identified in Southeast Asia.

It has occurred as an epidemic in some parts of the world.

In western societies, ideas of genital disappearance are relatively rare and not culturally bound, but are seen as isolated cases generally referred to as Koro-Like Syndrome, which can be co-morbid with psychiatric disorders or cerebral lesions.

Koro-like symptoms may be more frequently occurring in cases of schizophrenia than previously reported.

Koro, particularly cannabis-induced Koro, is not limited to eastern cultures.

Case Presentation: A sporadic case is described in which Koro-Like Syndrome was diagnosed in an Egyptian man for whom the illness took a chronic course lasting more than three years.

In contrast to an acute presentation with good prognosis and responsiveness to the treatment of the underlying co-morbid mental disorder, our case was of the chronic form.

It appeared to be associated with schizophrenia and a chronic history of cannabis misuse.

The patient’s response to treatment of the underlying mental disorder was poor and his psychotic features became residual.

Conclusion: Although, Koro is an acute condition, there is the possibility of it also manifesting as a chronic form of Koro- Like Syndrome among cases with co-morbid other mental disorder.