Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability
Background: the Japanese term hikikomori represent a condition of self-isolation, predominantly seen in male adolescents and young adults [1]. Hikikomori is associated with malnutrition[1], mood disorders, self-neglect, and reduced access to healthcare. Although ini...
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PAGEPress Publications
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Emergency Care Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/13358 |
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| author | Nicola Artusi Emanuele Russo Gianmaria Valeri Marzia Tecchiolli Franco Cominotto |
| author_facet | Nicola Artusi Emanuele Russo Gianmaria Valeri Marzia Tecchiolli Franco Cominotto |
| author_sort | Nicola Artusi |
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Background: the Japanese term hikikomori represent a condition of self-isolation, predominantly seen in male adolescents and young adults [1]. Hikikomori is associated with malnutrition[1], mood disorders, self-neglect, and reduced access to healthcare. Although initially observed and described in Japan, this psychiatric condition has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with an important burden on patients and their families. Hikikomori syndrome can be especially dangerous when compounded by psychiatric comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerabilities, [2], as evidenced by an alarming increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Case report: We present the case of a young man admitted to the emergency department with life-threatening malnutrition and anemia after prolonged self-isolation following cyberbullying episodes. The patient was found in critical condition, suffering from shock and multiorgan failure. After initial emergency interventions, and post-stabilization, he was transferred to psychiatric care.
Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Emergency physicians should start considering hikikomori as a risk factor in the assessment of malnutrition and anaemia, above all in young adults. In addition, we want to highlight how much the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the critical issues of local medicine, exposing the most vulnerable to greater risk. The Emergency Department necessitates a more integrated approach with social and out-of-hospital health services for intercepting and addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-806bef2673584de79ee181ba698f0767 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2282-2054 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Emergency Care Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-806bef2673584de79ee181ba698f07672025-02-11T10:56:38ZengPAGEPress PublicationsEmergency Care Journal2282-20542025-02-0110.4081/ecj.2025.13358Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerabilityNicola Artusi0Emanuele Russo1Gianmaria Valeri2Marzia Tecchiolli3Franco Cominotto4Emergency Medicine Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di TriesteEmergency Medicine Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di TriesteEmergency Medicine Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di TriesteEmergency Medicine Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di TriesteEmergency Medicine Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste Background: the Japanese term hikikomori represent a condition of self-isolation, predominantly seen in male adolescents and young adults [1]. Hikikomori is associated with malnutrition[1], mood disorders, self-neglect, and reduced access to healthcare. Although initially observed and described in Japan, this psychiatric condition has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with an important burden on patients and their families. Hikikomori syndrome can be especially dangerous when compounded by psychiatric comorbidities or socioeconomic vulnerabilities, [2], as evidenced by an alarming increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Case report: We present the case of a young man admitted to the emergency department with life-threatening malnutrition and anemia after prolonged self-isolation following cyberbullying episodes. The patient was found in critical condition, suffering from shock and multiorgan failure. After initial emergency interventions, and post-stabilization, he was transferred to psychiatric care. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Emergency physicians should start considering hikikomori as a risk factor in the assessment of malnutrition and anaemia, above all in young adults. In addition, we want to highlight how much the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the critical issues of local medicine, exposing the most vulnerable to greater risk. The Emergency Department necessitates a more integrated approach with social and out-of-hospital health services for intercepting and addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals. https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/13358HikikomoriCOVID-19anemiamalnutrition |
| spellingShingle | Nicola Artusi Emanuele Russo Gianmaria Valeri Marzia Tecchiolli Franco Cominotto Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability Emergency Care Journal Hikikomori COVID-19 anemia malnutrition |
| title | Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| title_full | Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| title_fullStr | Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| title_short | Hikikomori, a risk factor for life-threatening malnutrition: a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| title_sort | hikikomori a risk factor for life threatening malnutrition a case report of an emergency within the vulnerability |
| topic | Hikikomori COVID-19 anemia malnutrition |
| url | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ecj/article/view/13358 |
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