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Psychiatry1 paper

Koro

Last edited: 4/10/2026

Overview

Koro is a culture-bound syndrome characterized by intense anxiety that the penis is shrinking or retracting into the body 1. It is believed to have origins in Chinese culture dating back to the Chin Dynasty 1. A nosology for classifying Koro Syndrome has been proposed 1.

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on the patient's subjective experience of genital retraction and associated anxiety 1.
  • A proposed nosology exists for classification 1.

    • Management

  • Management may involve addressing underlying psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, if present 1.

    • Special Populations

  • Koro has been described in an elderly individual with associated inguinal hernia and schizophrenia 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Consider Koro in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with anxiety regarding genital retraction 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • A nosology for the classification of Koro Syndrome has been proposed 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • In cases of Koro with comorbid schizophrenia, management should address both conditions 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)

    • References

    1 Devan GS, Hong OS. Koro and schizophrenia in Singapore. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1987. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Koro: culture-bound disorder or universal symptom? — Adeniran RA, Jones JR The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1994)
    2. [2]
      Koro and schizophrenia in Singapore. — Devan GS, Hong OS The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1987)
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