Self-Inflicted Haematuria and the Syndrome of Hospital Addiction

Abstract

Self-inflicted haematuria may occur as part of the so-called Münchhausen syndrome or, better, the syndrome of hospital addiction. This rare but important differential diagnosis must be kept in mind in the investigation of obscure urological cases with long-standing and polysymptomatic histories. Two patients with factitious haematuria and hospital addiction are described. Some practical viewpoints on aetiology, diagnosis and management are given. An early recognition of the syndrome is important in order to avoid unnecessary and expensive investigations.