Factitious disorder presenting as type 1 diabetes mellitus

Factitious disorder (FD) is a condition characterised by the intentional production of illness to assume the sick role in the absence of external incentive. It is an illness that can be challenging, frustrating and troublesome for busy clinicians, and is easily misdiagnosed. Nonetheless, an accurate diagnosis is essential given that FD can lead to irreversible health consequences and unnecessary cost to society. This report describes the case of a middle-aged man with FD presenting as type 1 diabetes mellitus with recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes.