Clinical and Psychological Patterns in Auto-erythrocyte Sensitivity

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Abstract
The clinical features of autoerythrocyte sensitivity in 6 patients were compared with those of 17 patients previously reported by others and were found to be very similar, namely painful ecchymotic lesions, usually on the extremities, bouts of abdominal pain, syncopal episodes and occasionally bleeding from other sites. Four of the 6 had positive tests to erythrocyte stroma. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index was administered to these 6 patients, and a remarkably uniform personality pattern resulted. It was characterized by difficulty in handling aggressive feelings, alternation between repression and hysterical acting out, a superficial charm masking a demanding and selfish nature, lack of insight and resistance to psychotherapy. The finding of such a pattern is consistent with but does not prove the hypothesis that this is a psychosomatic disease. It is recommended that these patients be treated conservatively and symptomatically. Though their acute episodes of ecchymoses tend to be brief, attacks recur frequently over the years.
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