Familiar Munchausen syndrome: an unusual presentation

Abstract

Munchausen syndrome is a subtype included in factitious disorders in which somatic signs and symptoms predominate. The patient self-inflicts damage with the only objective of assuming a «sick role.” This is an underdiagnosed disorder characterized by numerous hospital admissions and history of visits to different medical specialists. Early diagnosis would avoid high health care costs caused by unnecessary explorations, and social, work and familial deterioration of the patient. We report a case with two affected brothers, rare in the literature reviewed, and we analyze suspicion criteria in the daily clinical practice.