[Factitious disorders and Munchausens's syndrome. The state of research].

.5-2% of patients of general medicine suffer from factitious disorders. These disorders require utmost skill in recognition, diagnosis and treatment; inadequate treatment may result in severe complications. Literature has grown tremendously during recent years, but many physicians are still not adequately aware of the specific problems. The current state of research concerning phenomenology, pathogenesis, psychopathology, psychodynamics and therapy is presented and discussed.