Do olfactory reference syndrome and Jiko‐shu‐kyofu (a subtype of Taijin‐kyofu) share a common entity?

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Abstract
Objective:  Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) in the Western literature is characterized as preoccupation with the idea that the body emits a foul odor. Japanese patients with a feature similar to ORS have long been recognized as jiko‐shu‐kyofu, which is believed to be a culture‐bound syndrome and specific to Japan. The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between the two separate syndromes that had independently been recognized in culturally different settings.Method:  The phenomenology and treatment of seven patients with jiko‐shu‐kyofu were described. A feature of jiko‐shu‐kyofu was then compared with that of ORS.Results:  In our cases, clinical characteristics of jiko‐shu‐kyofu such as symptomatology, insight, and pharmacotherapy response were found identical to those of ORS except for the onset at relatively younger ages.Conclusion:  Jiko‐shu‐kyofu and ORS may share a common clinical entity, hence the former is not a culturally distinctive disorder.

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