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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, disabling mental health condition with limited treatment options available to date. Numerous randomized controlled trials have explored the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in OCD. This meta-analysis synthesized data from selected randomized controlled trials and examined the impact of different treatment parameters to generate hypotheses that would direct future randomized controlled trials.A database search was performed to identify studies published in English up to October 2020. Randomized, sham-controlled studies that used rTMS to treat OCD were included. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges' g for pre- to post-treatment Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the effects of variations in rTMS treatment parameters.A total of 26 studies with 781 participants were included. Overall, rTMS demonstrated a modest effect on reduction of Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores (Hedges' g = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.39-0.89; p.0001). The largest significant effect size was obtained by targeting the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. High- and low-frequency rTMS showed comparable effects. Studies with follow-up data suggested that the effects of active rTMS remain significantly superior to those of sham 4 weeks after treatment.The therapeutic effects of rTMS are superior to those of sham in the treatment of OCD. Targeting the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was the most favorable approach in administering rTMS. Further research is required to determine the optimal frequency, total pulses per session, and duration of treatment with rTMS for OCD.

Background Suicidal ideations were reported in many studies among patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with current suicidal ideations among Egyptian patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A consecutive sample of 120 Egyptian OCD patients was included in the study. OCD was diagnosed using the structured clinical interview for DSM-V axis Ι disorders, clinical version (SCID-I-CV). Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was also applied to the patients. Presence of current suicidal ideations was assessed using Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI). Results Twenty eight (23.3%) of the OCD patients reported presence of current suicidal ideations, religious obsessions OR = 3.53, P = 0.009, and presence of comorbid major depressive disorder OR = 1.77, P = 0.04. Conclusion Religious obsessions and comorbid major depressive disorder were found to be significant predictors for the current suicidal ideations in patients with OCD; however, religious obsessions were the strongest predictor. Religious obsessions should be evaluated and treated to decrease the risk of suicidal thoughts in Egyptian OCD patients.

Understanding the role of patient motivation in OCD treatment is of clinical importance given the requisite autonomous role of patients in Exposure and Response Prevention. The present study investigated state- and trait-like relations between three variables: two previously established motivational constructs, readiness to change (RTC) and committed action (CA), derived from the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment, and OCD symptom severity as measured by the self-report Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS-SR). Utilizing a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) design, we assessed autoregressive, within-time correlations, and cross-lagged effects of RTC, CA, and Y-BOCS-SR scores at admission, month 1 of treatment, and discharge from an intensive/residential treatment program for OCD. Results revealed significant autoregressive (i.e., state-like) effects for CA and Y-BOCS-SR, negative within-time correlations between state CA and Y-BOCS-SR across all time points, a positive within-time correlation between state CA and RTC at admission, and a cross-lagged effect between state Y-BOCS-SR at month 1 of treatment and state RTC at discharge. Results also demonstrated that the stability of the RTC variable was attributable to trait-like factors in the present sample. This study is novel in its use of RI-CLPM in an OCD sample and represents an important addition to the literature on the longitudinal impacts of dynamic constructs of motivation. Our findings may provide future researchers with strategies to supplement ERP with CA-driven motivational interviewing.

The Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is the most common measure of Obsessive-Compulsive symptom severity. The Y-BOCS interview is considered gold standard, but its self-rating format is increasingly used in clinical trials. Few studies investigated congruency and potential changes over treatment. This question is highly relevant, as a systematic bias might obscure results of clinical trials. We examined the relationship of self- and clinician-rated Y-BOCS scores in participants with obsessive-compulsive disorder in pre (N = 128), post, (4 weeks, n = 104) and follow-up (6 months, n = 98) assessments of a randomized-controlled clinical trial. We administered Y-BOCS interview via telephone paralleling online administration of the self-report form. Analyses showed medium-to-strong correlations of Y-BOCS interview and self-rating scores at pre-assessment. Patients rated symptoms lower than clinicians. Larger discrepancies were associated with hoarding and age. Congruency was inferior for obsessions relative to compulsions, largely owing to the “resistance against obsessions” item. Agreement strongly increased at post and follow-up. Though overall congruency between the two Y-BOCS forms was satisfactory, results suggest a “correction over time” effect. Such bias may distort the precise interpretation of treatment effects. Therefore, we made several suggestions to improve the reliability of change scores assessed with the Y-BOCS self-rating.

Background Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens, ventral striatum, or internal capsule region has shown a 45%–60% response rate in adults with severe treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder, regardless of which target is used. We sought to improve the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation by placing the electrode along a trajectory including these 3 targets, enabling a change of stimulation site depending on the patient's response. Methods This study used the medical records of 14 patients from 4 different Spanish institutions: 7 from the Hospital Universitario La Princesa, 3 from the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, 2 from Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, and 2 from Hospital Universitari Son Espases. All patients were operated on under the same protocol. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Results Of 14 patients, 11 showed significant improvement in obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, as evident in a reduction ≥35% in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores following stimulation relative to preoperative scores. Seven patients responded to stimulation at the nucleus accumbens (the first area we set for stimulation), whereas 4 patients needed to have the active contact switched to the internal capsule to benefit from stimulation. Conclusions Deep brain stimulation of the nucleus accumbens, internal capsule, and ventral striatum significantly benefited our cohort of patients with medication-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Electrode insertion through the 3 main targets might confer additional therapeutic efficacy.

Practice guidelines for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) recommend augmenting serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) with exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP). However, fewer than half of patients remit after a standard 17-session EX/RP course. We studied whether extending the course increased overall remission rates and which patient factors predicted remission. Participants were 137 adults with clinically significant OCD (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale [Y-BOCS] score ≥18) despite an adequate SRI trial (≥12 weeks). Continuing their SRI, patients received 17 sessions of twice-weekly EX/RP (standard course). Patients who did not remit (Y-BOCS ≤12) received up to 8 additional sessions (extended course). Of 137 entrants, 123 completed treatment: 49 (35.8%) remitted with the standard course and another 46 (33.6%) with the extended course. Poorer patient homework adherence, more Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) traits, and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Val66MET genotype were associated with lower odds of standard course remission. Only homework adherence differentiated non-remitters from extended course remitters. Extending the EX/RP course from 17 to 25 sessions enabled many (69.3%) OCD patients on SRIs to achieve remission. Although behavioral (patient homework adherence), psychological (OCPD traits), and biological (BDNF genotype) factors influenced odds of EX/RP remission, homework adherence was the most potent patient factor overall.

Scrupulous obsessions are a prominent presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Previous conceptualizations of scrupulosity have indicated that it belongs to the unacceptable thoughts dimension, which pertains to sexual, violent, and religious obsessive themes. However, research suggests that scrupulous symptoms may differ from other unacceptable thoughts symptoms, necessitating the need for targeted and thorough assessment. We added a Scrupulous or Religious Thoughts subscale (DOCS-SR) to the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) and tested its factorial structure, psychometric properties, and clinical correlates in a nonclinical and clinical sample. In the first study, nonclinical participants (N = 203) completed the DOCS-SR, which was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis. Analyses revealed that the DOCS-SR reflected a one-factor solution and possessed acceptable internal consistency, as well as strong convergent validity with clinical correlates of OCD. In the second study, we administered the DOCS, as well as the DOCS-SR to a clinical sample (N = 314). An exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis both suggested that the four subscales and additional DOCS-SR represented a five-factor solution. Internal consistency and convergent validity were strong. The DOCS Unacceptable Thoughts subscale and the DOCS-SR shared a moderate correlation but evidenced differences in associations with other correlates. This suggested both convergent and divergent validity. Collectively, our results support the utility of examining the individual components of the unacceptable thoughts dimension of OCD for effective assessment and treatment planning.

Background and objectives: Criticism is thought to play an important role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and obsessive behaviors have been considered as childhood strategies to avoid criticism. Often, patients with OCD report memories characterized by guilt-inducing reproaches. Starting from these assumptions, the aim of this study is to test whether intervening in memories of guilt-inducing reproaches can reduce current OCD symptoms. The emotional valence of painful memories may be modified through imagery rescripting (ImRs), an experiential technique that has shown promising results. Methods: After monitoring a baseline of symptoms, 18 OCD patients underwent three sessions of ImRs, followed by monitoring for up to three months. Indexes of OCD, depression, anxiety, disgust and fear of guilt were collected. Results: Patients reported a significant decrease in OCD symptoms. The mean value on the Yale−Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) changed from 25.94 to 14.11. At the three-month follow-up, 14 of the 18 participants (77.7%) achieved an improvement of ≥ 35% on the Y-BOCS. Thirteen patients reported a reliable improvement, with ten reporting a clinically significant change (reliable change index = 9.94). Four reached the asymptomatic criterion. Clinically significant changes were not detected for depression and anxiety. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that after ImRs intervention focusing on patients’ early experiences of guilt-inducing reproaches there were clinically significant changes in OCD symptomatology. The data support the role of ImRs in reducing OCD symptoms and the previous cognitive models of OCD, highlighting the role of guilt-related early life experiences in vulnerability to OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disease with a lifetime prevalence of 3% and is associated with severe impairment in familial and socio-occupational functioning. Gamma ventral capsulotomy (GVC) is a treatment choice in carefully chosen patients, with few published reports. In this study, we aimed to report the efficacy and safety of GVC in 21 patients with treatment-resistant OCD.This is a retrospective single-center study. Twenty-one patients meeting the selection criteria were included. Patients were considered responders if there were ≥35% reduction in post-GVC Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale scores and considered in remission if scores were ≤8. The mean and median clinical follow-up durations were 60.7 and 56 months, respectively (range, 38-149 months).The mean baseline Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score of 35.7 (n = 21) decreased to 15.3 (n = 20) at 36 months follow-up evaluation (P0.0001). Fifteen patients (75%) achieved a full response. Of those patients, 7 (35%) were considered to be in remission. There were no partial responders, and 5 patients (25%) were classified as nonresponders. The pre-GVC mean Beck Depression Inventory-II score of 35.1 (n = 21) decreased to 13.8 (n = 20) at 36 months follow-up evaluation (P0.0001). Three patients (14.3%) had a transient post-GVC headache that resolved within a week, and 2 patients (9.5%) had persistent headaches that responded to 2-week oral corticosteroid treatment. A brain cyst developed after GVC in 2 patients (10%). No clinically notable abnormalities were seen on neurologic examination at any follow-up.Gamma ventral capsulotomy is a reasonable treatment method in select patients with treatment-resistant OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions are important in studies about the pathogenesis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. More than 30 factor analytic studies using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-SC) interview version have been published. However, a drawback of the Y-BOCS-SC interview is that it is time-consuming for the clinician. Baer's self-report version of the Y-BOCS-SC could be a less time-consuming alternative. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of Baer's self-report Y-BOCS-SC. In a sample of 286 patients, we performed two factor analyses, one using categories and one using items of the Y-BOCS-SC. Using category-level data, we identified four factors; when using items we identified six factors. Symptom dimensions for contamination/cleaning, symmetry/repeating/counting/ordering and hoarding were found in both analyses. The impulsive aggression, pathological doubt, sexual, religious somatic and checking categories formed one factor in the analysis using category-level data and divided into three factors using item-level data. These factors correspond with studies using the interview version and support our hypothesis that the self-report version of the Y-BOCS-SC could be an alternative for the interview version.

Previous studies in non-clinical populations suggest that obsessive-compulsive symptoms are associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis measures and that there are sex differences in these associations. We aimed to replicate these findings in a sample of 57 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 98 healthy subjects. Current and lifetime OCD symptom dimensions were assessed with the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS). Depressive symptoms and state and trait anxiety were also assessed. The following HPA axis measures were analysed in saliva: the diurnal cortisol slope (calculated using two formulas: [1] awakening to 11 p.m. [AWE diurnal slope] and [2] considering fixed time points [FTP diurnal slope] from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and the dexamethasone suppression test ratio (DSTR) after 0.25 mg of dexamethasone. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the contribution of OCD symptom dimensions to each HPA axis measure while adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, trait anxiety and depressive symptoms. A sex-specific association between current ordering/symmetry symptoms and AWE diurnal cortisol slope (positive association [flattened slope] in men, inverse association [stepper slope] in women) was found. Two similar sex by OCD dimensions interactions were found for lifetime aggressive and ordering/symmetry symptoms and both (FTP, AWE) diurnal cortisol slopes. Current and lifetime hoarding symptoms were associated to a more flattened FTP diurnal cortisol slope in women. The DSTR was not associated with OCD symptoms. The lifetime interference in functionality was associated with a more flattened AWE diurnal cortisol slope. In conclusion, our study suggests that there are sex differences in the association between OCD subtypes and specific HPA axis measures.

Our aim was to introduce more homogenous phenotypes for studying genetic variations in the clinically heterogeneous obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) beside classical case-control analysis. Symptoms were assessed with Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), and principle component analysis of the lifetime symptom categories yielded four factors (Cleaning, Obsessive, Compulsive, Sexual). The comparison of serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in 102 OCD patients and 223 controls showed an increased L-allele frequency but no difference was observed when rs25531 was included. Intronic variants of the serotonin transporter gene did not show association with either OCD, nor with the obtained factors.

Objective: We investigated the diagnostic efficiency and clinical utility of the Dimensional Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (DOCS) and subscales for distinguishing obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) from anxiety disorders (ADs). Method: A total of 369 participants (167 male, Mage = 29.61 years) diagnosed with DSM-IV OCD or AD, recruited from specialty clinics across the United States, completed clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires, including the DOCS. Receiver operating characteristic analyses and diagnostic likelihood ratios (DiLRs) determined discriminative validity and provided clinical utility. Logistic regressions tested for incremental validity in the DOCS-total scale and subscales in predicting OCD status. Results: The DOCS-total scale and Contamination subscale performed best in differentiating between OCD and AD diagnosis (DOCS-total: Area under curve [AUC] = .75, p < .001; Contamination: AUC = .70, p < .001) as compared with the other subscales. At high scores (DOCS-total: 28+, Contamination: 6+), Contamination was more effective than the DOCS-total in differentiating OCD from ADs, with high scores in Contamination quadrupling OCD odds and DOCS-total by about threefold (Contamination DiLR+ = 4.04, DOCS-total DiLR+ = 2.82). At low scores (DOCS-total: 0-9, Contamination: 0-2), the converse was true, with low scores in Contamination cutting OCD odds by half and DOCS-total by one fifths (Contamination DiLR− = 0.52, DOCS-total DiLR− = 0.23). Conclusion: At high scores, the Contamination subscale is the most helpful subscale to differentiate OCD and ADs. For low scores, the DOCS-total scale performs the best among the scales.

Previous research using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) suggests that the heterogeneous symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may reflect four underlying dimensions. However, past results vary substantially, which may be due to (a) the reliance on aggregated scores, (b) the common use of exploratory factor analyses, and (c) the exclusion of several symptoms. The present study tested the homogeneity of the original Y-BOCS categories using confirmatory factor analysis and modified categories where necessary. To test multidimensional models, data were further analyzed with Bayesian structural equation models, which better capture item heterogeneity in contrast to ordinary factor analysis. All analyses were run with two samples of patients with OCD allowing for cross-validation. Only a minority of the original Y-BOCS categories proved to be homogeneous. Modification yielded 10 homogeneous first-order factors, which can be reduced to four second-order factors: Incompleteness, Taboo Thoughts, Responsibility, and Contamination. This two-level factor model outperformed competing factor structures. The results corroborate the notion of four broader symptom dimensions in OCD, although the specific factor structure deviates from previous research. Differences presumably derive from using the full range of OCD symptoms and the combined exploratory and confirmatory approach with BSEM as a theoretically more appropriate analytical framework.

Studies have confirmed the efficacy of the cognitive intervention Association Splitting (AS) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) when applied as a self-help technique. AS aims to alter symptom-provoking automated cognitive networks of OC-related stimuli by building new or strengthening established but weak neutral associations. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptance and benefits of therapist-assisted AS as an add-on to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One hundred and nine patients with OCD who were undergoing CBT were randomly assigned to either AS or cognitive remediation (CR). Both groups were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks and 6 months later. The primary measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Although patients’ acceptance of AS was good, AS was not better than CR regarding overall symptom severity. However, a larger decrease was found from baseline to 6 months follow-up in AS regarding avoidance. Moreover, subsidiary analyses excluding control patients who had obtained information about AS indicated its superiority. Because superiority of AS was found in post hoc analyses excluding control patients who had obtained information on AS, we suggest that contagion effects deserve consideration.

Trichotillomania (TTM) and eating disorders (ED) share many phenomenological similarities, including ritualized compulsive behaviors. Given this, and that comorbid EDs may represent additional functional burden to hair pullers, we sought to identify factors that predict diagnosis of an ED in a TTM population. Subjects included 555 adult females (age range 18–65) with DSM-IV-TR TTM or chronic hair pullers recruited from multiple sites. 7.2% (N = 40) of our TTM subjects met criteria for an ED in their lifetime. In univariable regression analysis, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) worst-ever compulsion and total scores, certain obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and substance disorder all met the pre-specified criteria for inclusion in the multivariable analysis. In the final multivariable model, diagnosis of OCD (OR: 5.68, 95% CI: 2.2–15.0) and diagnosis of an additional body-focused repetitive behavior disorder (BFRB) (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.1–6.8) were both associated with increased risk of ED in TTM. Overall, our results provide further support of the relatedness between ED and TTM. This finding highlights the importance of assessing for comorbid OCD and additional BFRBs in those with TTM. Future research is needed to identify additional predictors of comorbid disorders and to better understand the complex relationships between BFRBs, OCD and EDs.

There are few studies on suicidal risk and its related factors in patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study investigated the associations of early maladaptive schemas, OC symptom dimensions, OCD severity, depression and anxiety with suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) in OCD patients. Sixty OCD outpatients completed the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF), the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). 51.7% of patients had lifetime suicide attempts and 75% had suicidal ideation. OCD patients with lifetime suicide attempts exhibited significantly higher scores on early maladaptive schemas than those without such attempts. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the mistrust/abuse schema and the OC symptom dimension of unacceptable thoughts explained lifetime suicide attempts. The mistrust/abuse schema, unacceptable thoughts and depression significantly predicted suicidal ideation. These findings indicated that the mistrust/abuse schema may contribute to high suicidality in OCD patients. Also, patients suffering from unacceptable thoughts need to be assessed more carefully for warning signs of suicide.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently show traits of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This is one of the first studies to explore the clinical impact of the overlap between OCD and ASD as a categorical diagnosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in 73 adult outpatients with DSM-IV OCD. Autistic traits were measured using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). A clinical estimate ASD diagnosis was made by interview using DSM-IV-TR criteria. OCD patients with and without autistic traits or ASD were compared on demographic and clinical parameters and level of OCD treatment-resistance based on treatment history. RESULTS: Thirty-four (47%) patients scored above the clinical threshold on the AQ (> =26) and 21 (27.8%) met diagnostic criteria for ASD. These diagnoses had not been made before. Patients with autistic traits showed a borderline significant increase in OCD symptom-severity (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS); p=.054) and significantly increased impairment of insight (Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale; p=.01). There was a positive correlation between AQ and Y-BOCS scores (p =.04), but not with OCD treatment resistance. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of previously undiagnosed ASD in patients with OCD. ASD traits are associated with greater OCD symptom-severity and poor insight.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), by comparison to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based on exposure and response prevention.\ud \ud Method: This was a pragmatic, feasibility randomised controlled trial in which 55 participants with OCD were randomised to EMDR (n = 29) or CBT (n = 26). The Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale (YBOCS) was completed at baseline, after treatment and at 6 months follow-up. Treatment completion and response rates were compared using chi square tests. Effect size was examined using Cohen’s d and multilevel modelling.\ud \ud Results: Overall, 61.8% completed treatment and 30.2% attained reliable and clinically significant improvement in OCD symptoms, with no significant differences between groups (p > .05). There were no significant differences between groups in YBOCS severity post-treatment (d = -0.24, p = .38) or at 6 months follow-up (d = -0.03, p = .90).\ud \ud Conclusions: EMDR and CBT had comparable completion rates and clinical outcomes.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Treatment usually consists of serotonergic medications along with exposure therapies. Danger ideation reduction therapy (DIRT) is an alternative therapy predominantly for washing compulsions and focuses on reduction of danger ideations. DIRT was tried on Ms. S. with a history of OCD for 15 years and improvement was noticed on Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Padua Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale after 15 sessions of DIRT though she was not fully symptom-free. Thus, DIRT was found to improve OCD symptoms and improved her insight into illness.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by largely variable phenotypic expressions. Previous findings suggested that gender may be a relevant factor in mediating this heterogeneity. The present study aimed at exploring gender differences in a large clinical sample of Italian OCD patients.Socio-demographic and clinical variables of a sample of 229 consecutive OCD outpatients were included in a common database. Patients were assessed through structured clinical interviews, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale.Female OCD patients were more likely than males to have lifetime psychiatric comorbidities (72.6% vs 56.9%; p 0.05), poly-comorbidities being twice as high compared to males. The female group also showed a significant later onset of symptoms (63.7% vs 44.8%; p 0.005) and a higher age at first treatment (30.98 ± 13.1 years vs 27.81 ± 11.3; p 0.005). Moreover, the female subgroup presented higher rates of cleaning and washing compulsions, compared to the male subgroup (28.7% vs 12.6% in the male group; p 0.005).The current study supports the notion that OCD in female gender is frequently a comorbid condition with other specific clinical characteristics compared to male patients. These findings should be considered in epidemiologic and therapeutic perspectives.

Contains fulltext : 219241.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) INTRODUCTION: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder where most patients do not reach full symptomatic remission. Identifying predictors of course can improve patients' care by informing clinicians on prognosis and enhancing treatment strategies. Several predictors associated with improved outcome of OCD were identified. However, research focused mainly on clinical, illness-related predictors of the course of OCD. This study examined the contribution of environmental and interpersonal predictors on the long-term outcome of OCD, in addition to the previously identified clinical indicators. METHODS: We used the baseline, two and four-year data of 382 adult OCD patients participating in the naturalistic cohort study of the Netherlands Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Association (NOCDA). Remission was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Predictors of outcome were assessed at baseline, via clinician-rated and self-report instruments. RESULTS: Remission at two and at four-year follow-up ranged from 11% to 26%. Early age of onset and the presence of childhood trauma predicted a worse four-year course. Secure attachment style emerged as a protective predictor of improved outcome. LIMITATIONS: The naturalistic design of our study did not enable a systematic estimation the effect of treatments received during the follow-up period. Furthermore, age of onset and childhood trauma were assessed retrospectively, which may contribute to recall bias. CONCLUSION: Results coincide with previous prediction research and stress the importance of adaptive interpersonal functioning in the course of OCD. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. 9 p.

Background: The aim of this study was to test, through a chronobiologic approach, the existence of a significant circannual rhythm of tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Tic Disorder (OCTD). The chronotype effect on tics and OC symptoms during seasons was also studied. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of OCTD (N = 37; mean age = 18.78 ± 8.61) underwent four clinical evaluations: Winter (WIN), Spring (SPR), Summer (SUM) and Autumn (AUT). Tics were evaluated through Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) and OC symptoms through Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Patients’ chronotype was assessed by the Horne-Ostberg morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), which categorizes subjects according to the individuals'chronotype, being morning-type, evening-type, and neither-type. Results: A statistically significant circannual rhythm was observed for OC symptoms (p = 0.007), with the acrophase occurring between AUT and WIN. Y-BOCS differed along the year (p = 0.0003 and η2p = 0.40) with lower results in SUM compared to WIN (p < 0.05) and AUT (p < 0.01). Tics displayed no circannual rhythm and YGTSS scores were comparable among seasons. Patients were classified as 15 morning-types (40.5%) 15 neither-types (40.5%) and 7 evening-types (19.0%). YGTSS data were similar for all chronotypes while Y-BOCS results were greater during SUM in evening-types than morning-type patients (p < 0.05; 15.7 ± 5.2 vs 3.4 ± 6.0). Limitations: It is essential to investigate the existence of tics and OC symptoms circannual rhythms over the course of more than one year with a larger sample. Conclusions: OC symptoms displayed a significant circannual rhythm and were influenced by patients’ chronotype. On the contrary, tics resulted similar among seasons and chronotypes.

A considerable proportion of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients receiving first-line pharmacological therapy, fail to fully respond to treatment and continue to exhibit significant symptoms. In this systematic review, we evaluate the efficacy of memantine, as a glutamate-modulating agent, in moderate to severe OCD. Single and double blinded as well as open-label trials of memantine augmentation in adults with OCD were considered. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores were the primary outcome measure. The electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Google Scholar were searched for relevant trials using keywords ‘obsessive-compulsive disorder OR OCD’ AND ‘memantine’. The meta-analysis of eight studies involving 125 OCD subjects receiving memantine augmentation exhibited a significant overall mean reduction of 11.73 points in Y-BOCS scores. The categorical analysis of treatment response (a minimum of 35% reduction in Y-BOCS) in four double-blind placebo-controlled studies indicated that OCD patients receiving memantine augmentation were 3.61 times more likely to respond to treatment than those receiving placebo. We found that 20 mg/day memantine augmentation to first-line pharmacological treatment for a period of at least 8 weeks is a safe and effective intervention for moderate to severe OCD.

Introduction.Bipolar disorder (BD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are prevalent, comorbid, and disabling conditions, often characterized by early onset and chronic course. When comorbid, OCD and BD can determine a more pernicious course of illness, posing therapeutic challenges for clinicians. Available reports on prevalence and clinical characteristics of comorbidity between BD and OCD showed mixed results, likely depending on the primary diagnosis of analyzed samples.Methods.We assessed prevalence and clinical characteristics of BD comorbidity in a large international sample of patients with primary OCD (n = 401), through the International College of Obsessive–Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) snapshot database, by comparing OCD subjects with vs without BD comorbidity.Results.Among primary OCD patients, 6.2% showed comorbidity with BD. OCD patients with vs without BD comorbidity more frequently had a previous hospitalization (p < 0.001) and current augmentation therapies (p < 0.001). They also showed greater severity of OCD (p < 0.001), as measured by the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).Conclusion.These findings from a large international sample indicate that approximately 1 out of 16 patients with primary OCD may additionally have BD comorbidity along with other specific clinical characteristics, including more frequent previous hospitalizations, more complex therapeutic regimens, and a greater severity of OCD. Prospective international studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent and disabling condition. Specific patterns of psychiatric comorbidity, early age at onset, long duration of illness (DI) and untreated illness (DUI) have been associated with poor outcome in OCD. The present study was aimed to explore sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with increased severity of illness in a sample of OCD patients.A total of 124 OCD outpatients were recruited and divided into two groups on the basis of their severity of illness, as assessed through the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (24). Chi-squared test and t-test for independent samples were performed to compare sociodemographic and clinical variables between the two groups.The group with increased severity of illness had a younger age, an earlier age at onset and age at first pharmacological treatment (p .05). In addition, the same group showed a longer DI but a shorter DUI (p .01). Moreover, significantly higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities (p .01) were observed in the higher severity group.Earlier age, age at onset and age at first pharmacological treatment, longer DI, shorter DUI and higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities were associated with increased severity of OCD. Further studies on larger samples are warranted to confirm the reported results.

IntroductionWe previously reported that deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the anterior limb of the internal capsule/bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (IC/BST) is effective in reducing symptoms in severe treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.ObjectiveTo examine the long-term evolution of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in 24 patients treated with chronic electrical stimulation in IC/BST.AimsWe aimed to examine the evolution of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and to determine if a number of predictors assessed before surgery are significantly related to this evolution.MethodsWe used a linear mixed model to investigate the evolution of the Y-BOCS in 24 patients. Data was collected in a naturalistic manner. Seven hundred measurements, taken during a total of 1836 follow-up months, are included in this analysis.ResultsOur analysis showed a long-term, sustained effect of electrical stimulation in the IC/BST. After a fast initial decline of OCD symptoms, these symptoms stay relatively stable. In addition, results show a strong ON/OFF effect of stimulation (e.g., due to battery depletion). Beside the ON/OFF effect of stimulation, the surgery itself has no additional effect on OCD symptoms. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline was the only predictor significantly related to the evolution of the Y-BOCS. A higher BDI at baseline seemed to be related to a smaller decrease of the Y-BOCS over time.ConclusionElectrical stimulation in the IC/BST has a fast and sustained effect on OCD symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

ObjectiveIn this study, it is aimed to determine obsessive compulsive-related disorders (OCRDs) comorbidity among the patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and compare patients with OCD with or without comorbid OCRDs in terms of the severity of their OCD symptoms, symptom dimensions, and comorbidity with other axis I disorders.MethodsThe study included 90 patients diagnosed as having OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for OCRDs were used to determine the presence of OCRDs. In order to determine the symptom dimensions and severity of these individuals' OCD symptoms, we administered the Dimensional Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DOCS) and The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).ResultsIn our study, 20% of the patients with OCD simultaneously met the criteria for at least one OCRD, we also found that a significantly greater proportion of this group were men. None of the mentioned disorders was associated with any symptom dimensions we evaluated using DOCS. In addition, no differences were found in the severity of OCD symptoms and comorbid axis I disorders between the group with comorbid OCRDs and the group without comorbid OCRDs.DiscussionThere was no significant relationship between the symptom dimensions of OCD and OCRDs. It is found that OCRD comorbidity does not increase the severity of OCD symptoms and the prevalence of an axis I diagnosis.

A growing body of literature suggests that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition. The studies investigating symptom dimensions have been limited by numerous methodological differences and sample characteristics. The purpose of this study was to compare the two most commonly applied statistical techniques used in addressing this question in the same large cohort of individuals with OCD. Both cluster analysis and factor analysis were used to examine OCD symptom data as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) Symptom Checklist for 355 individuals with a primary diagnosis of OCD. The factor analysis revealed a three-factor model best described as symmetry obsessions/ordering compulsions, contamination obsessions/cleaning compulsions and aggressive obsessions/checking compulsions. In contrast, the cluster analysis yielded a stable four-cluster solution best described as symmetry obsessions/ordering compulsions, contamination obsessions/cleaning compulsions, aggressive-somatic-religious obsessions/checking compulsions and a mixed symptom profile. Although there was overlap in the models resulting from these two statistical approaches, cluster analysis better captured the dimensional nature of OCD by demonstrating the prevalence of symptom categories in each subgroup. Though both analyses are capable of providing similar outputs, the validity of these results is limited given the input of a priori symptom categories from the Y-BOCS.

Background: Cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) following cerebrovascular accident (CVA) have rarely been reported. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: We describe the case of a 58-year-old, right-handed man developed OCD 17 months after stroke resulting from lesion of the right middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient was successfully treated with sertraline up to 50 mg per day. His OCD behaviors largely reduced in 6 weeks, and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale score was reduced from 29 to 12 in 1 year. A literature review revealed 21 previous cases of OCD following CVA. Among these, consistent with our case, the basal ganglia was the most common site of the lesion responsible for the development of this rare disorder. We discuss the patient's treatment and outcomes. Conclusions: Our present case and a literature review suggest that OCD can manifest following CVA, although further studies are necessary. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be effective in treating this rare disorder.

Background and objectives: Some individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may experience recurrent intrusive distressing images, which may be emotionally linked to past aversive memories. Our aim was to investigate whether Imagery Rescripting was an effective intervention for such individuals with OCD. Method: Twelve cases who experienced intrusive distressing images are presented in a A1BA2CA3 single case experimental design. After a baseline of Compulsive Scale, with a decrease from a mean of 24.1 to 10.7. Reliable symptom monitoring (A1), participants had a control intervention of talking about the memory related image (B), followed by symptom monitoring (A2), a single session of Imagery Rescripting (C) and further monitoring for up to 3 months (A3). Results: Minimal change was seen following the control intervention. However, at 3 months following ImRs, there was a drop in the Yale-Brown Obsessive improvement was achieved in 9 out of the 12 cases and clinically significant change in 7 out of 12 at 3-month follow up. The limitations are that all cases were selected on the basis that they had an aversive memory linked to their imagery. Conclusions: Imagery Rescripting is a promising therapeutic technique for OCD as an adjunct to CBT where intrusive images are linked to aversive memories.

The literature on subclinical autism spectrum (ASD) symptoms in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is scarce, and it remains unclear whether ASD symptoms are related to OCD severity. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of ASD symptoms and age and sex differences in children and adolescents with OCD, and to explore the relation between ASD symptoms and OCD severity. This is the largest study of ASD symptoms in an OCD population to date, and the first directly aimed at elucidating sex and age differences in this matter. The study used baseline data from the Nordic Long-term OCD Treatment Study in which parents of 257 children and adolescents with OCD aged 7-17 completed the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire. OCD severity was assessed with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Pediatric OCD patients were found to exhibit elevated rates of ASD symptoms compared to a norm group of school-age children. ASD symptoms were concentrated in a subgroup with a prevalence of 10-17 %. This subgroup was characterized by a male preponderance with a sex ratio of approximately 2.6:1, while children versus adolescents with OCD exhibited similar rates. Autism-specific social and communication difficulties were not related to OCD severity, while restricted repetitive behavior was positively related to OCD severity. The results indicate that clinicians need to be aware of ASD symptoms in children and adolescents with OCD since one out of ten exhibits such symptoms at a clinical sub-threshold.

Randomised and sham-controlled trials (RCTs) of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have yielded conflicting results, which may be due to the variability in rTMS parameters used. We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of rTMS for the treatment of OCD and aimed to determine whether certain rTMS parameters, such as cortical target, may be associated with higher treatment effectiveness. After conducting a systematic literature review for RCTs on rTMS for OCD through to 1 December 2016 using MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Google, and Google Scholar, we performed a random-effects meta-analysis with the outcome measure as pre-post changes in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) scores. To determine whether rTMS parameters may have influenced treatment effectiveness, studies were further analysed according to cortical target, stimulation frequency, and length of follow-up. Data were obtained from 18 RCTs on rTMS in the treatment of OCD. Overall, rTMS yielded a modest effect in reducing Y-BOCS scores with Hedge's g of 0.79 (95% CI = 0.43-1.15, p

About one third of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) fail to experience significant clinical benefit from currently available treatments. Hyperactivity of the presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA) has been detected in OCD patients, but it is not clear whether it is the primary cause or a secondary compensatory mechanism in OCD pathophysiology. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique with polarity-dependent effects on motor cortical excitability. A 33-year-old woman with treatment-resistant OCD received 20 daily consecutive 2 mA/20 min tDCS sessions with the active electrode placed on the pre-SMA, according to the 10-20 EEG system, and the reference electrode on the right deltoid. The first 10 sessions were anodal, while the last 10 were cathodal. Symptoms severity was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) severity score. In the end of anodal stimulation, OCD symptoms had worsened. Subsequent cathodal stimulation induced a dramatic clinical improvement, which led to an overall 30% reduction in baseline symptoms severity score on the Y-BOCS. Our study supports the hypothesis that pre-SMA hyperfunction might be responsible for OCD symptoms and shows that cathodal inhibitory tDCS over this area might be an option when dealing with treatment-resistant OCD.

Background: Family accommodation (FA) is a phenomenon whereby caregivers assist/facilitate rituals or behaviors related to obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). FA, however, has been explored primarily in the Western population, and it is unclear to what extent it might be present in diverse cultural settings. At present, little is known about the extent and predictors of FA among caregivers of adult OCD patients in India. Aims: The study aims to assess the extent, clinical correlates, and predictors of FA in the caregivers of adults with OCD. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in an outpatient setting in a tertiary-care hospital. Materials and Methods: Hundred and one adult patients of either gender with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 diagnosis of OCD and 101 caregivers were included. The patients were assessed using Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule Version 2.0 12-item version (WHO-DAS 2.0.12), Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Severity (CGI-S), and Clinical Global Impressions Scale for Improvement. The FA Scale-Self Rated Version (FAS-SR) was applied on caregivers after Hindi translation. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and Pearson's product moment correlations were carried out. Multiple linear regression modeling was performed with the total FAS-SR score as the dependent variable. Results: About 92% of caregivers displayed at least some form of FA. Higher scores on HAM-D, YBOCS, WHODAS, and CGI-S were associated with higher scores on FAS-SR scale, which reached statistical significance (P < 0.01). Conclusions: FA in OCD appears to be a frequent phenomenon. Higher FA is associated with higher symptom severity and disability, emphasizing its clinical and research relevance for future studies.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) on quality of life (QoL) and to identify the OCS with a particular effect on QoL, and whether there are any such symptoms for patients with schizophrenia.We studied three groups of patients with schizophrenia. One group of patients (n = 45) without OCS or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), one group with OCS, not fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for OCD (n = 31), and one group with OCD as a comorbid condition (n = 24). Severity of clinical symptoms was evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and OCS was examined using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) Symptom Checklist. We also administered the Y-BOCS. The patients' QoL was assessed using the Quality of Life Scale (QLS).QLS interpersonal relationships subscale scores of those with OCS were lower than those without OCS. There was no difference among OCS, non-OCS, and OCD groups in terms of QoL. There was no relationship between QLS scores and symmetry, contamination and causing harm obsessions, but those with cleaning and repeating compulsions had lower QoL.Questioning of comorbid OCS and treatment with specific medication in schizophrenia patients may increase QoL.

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder has a broadly diverse clinical expression that reflects heterogeneity. Several studies have identified consistent symptom dimensions of obsessivecompulsive disorder. The purpose of this study was to conduct an exploratory symptoms analysis of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adolescents and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, National Medical College. This study examined lifetime occurrence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms included in the 13 symptom categories of the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Symptoms analysis was performed on 60 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Eight categories of obsessions and six categories of compulsions from Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale were included in the analyses. SPSS software package (version 16) was used to analyze the data and shown in the table. Results: Of 60 adolescents and adults, female and male were in the ratio of 1.2:1. Contamination was the most common occurring obsession followed by aggressive obsession. The most common occurring compulsion was checking followed by washing. Only a minority of patients (13.33%) presented predominantly with obsessions however 18.33% patients presented predominantly with compulsions. Certain obsessions and compulsions co-occur to form a cluster. Conclusions: In adolescents and adults, obsessive-compulsive disorder is a multidimensional disorder. Symptom dimensions are predominantly congruent with those described in similar studies of adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Keywords: compulsion; obsession; obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Economic analyses of treatments for OCD have been limited. This study analysed the comparative economic benefits and costs of an internet-based CBT (iCBT) relative to internet-based progressive relaxation therapy (iPRT) control. These were benchmarked against current estimates for face-to-face CBT (ffCBT) sourced from literature. The benefits to society of providing increased access to treatment was assessed using a cost-benefit analysis based upon productivity gains arising from treatment. Identification of the most cost-effective treatment amongst the three treatments was assessed using a cost-effectiveness analysis based upon both effectiveness as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) and percentage of responders. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed iCBT to be the most cost effective treatment of the three analysed, followed by ffCBT based upon percentage of responders and iPRT based upon overall effectiveness of treatment. The cost-benefit analyses showed all treatment options delivered substantial benefits to society. These benefits ranged from three to thirty-five times the cost of providing treatment, depending on the assumptions used and the treatment provided, with iCBT showing the greatest ratio of benefits to costs but the ffCBT providing the greatest absolute benefits. Overall, the findings provide support for increased access to CBT intervention, for all patients with OCD; with online therapist-assisted modes of delivery as a cost-effective alternative to existing face-to-face treatments. Further work to more accurately quantify the benefits and costs resulting from CBT treatment modalities is required to support these preliminary findings., Highlights • Comparing cost-effectiveness of internet-based CBT (iCBT), progressive relaxation therapy (iPRT) and face-to-face CBT ffCBT) • The cost-effectiveness analysis showed iCBT to be the most cost effective treatment of the three analysed • The cost-benefit analyses showed all treatment options delivered substantial benefits to society.

Objectives Our main goal was to provide the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Dimensional Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (DOCS) in a non-clinical sample (n = 237) and in adult patients with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (n = 110). We also examined the association between OC symptom dimensions and obsessive beliefs. Methods The psychometric properties involved four steps: reliability, structural validity, convergent and discriminant validity and diagnostic sensitivity. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between OC symptoms and obsessive beliefs. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses replicated the original four-factor structure in both samples. The DOCS showed good performance in terms of internal consistency, test–retest reliability and convergent validity in both samples. The DOCS showed better diagnostic sensitivity than another self-report instrument of OC symptoms, the Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory Revised. Findings of the relationship between obsessive beliefs and OC symptoms revealed that certain obsessive beliefs predicted specific OC symptom dimensions. Conclusions The Spanish version of the DOCS has similar psychometric properties than the original English instrument, although its performance is somewhat better in OCD patients than in students. It will be important to ascertain its ability to discriminate OCD from other associated disorders.

Background: Reward-processing deficits have been demonstrated in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and this has been linked to ventral striatal abnormalities. However, volumetric abnormalities of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), a key structure in the reward pathway, have not been examined in OCD. We report on the volumetric abnormalities of NAcc and its correlation with illness severity in drug-naïve, adult patients with OCD. Method: In this cross-sectional study of case–control design, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1.5-T (1-mm) volume of NAcc was measured using 3D Slicer software in drug-naïve OCD patients ( n = 44) and age, sex and handedness-matched healthy controls (HCs) ( n = 36) using a valid and reliable method. OCD symptoms were assessed using the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) Symptom checklist and severity and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. Results: There was no significant difference in NAcc volumes on either side between OCD patients and HCs ( F = 3.45, p = 0.07). However, there was significant negative correlation between the right NAcc volume and Y-BOCS compulsion score ( r = −0.48, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Study observations suggest involvement of the NAcc in the pathogenesis of OCD, indicating potential reward-processing deficits. Correlation between the right NAcc volume deficit and severity of compulsions offers further support for this region as a candidate for deep brain stimulation treatment in OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a notably heterogeneous disorder. As such, there has been increased interest in subtyping OCD into homogeneous entities using biological characteristics such as sex. Whereas there is large consensus in the literature regarding sex differences in the phenotypic expression of OCD, there are numerous disadvantages to how OCD has been previously measured and assessed. The present investigation explored potential sex differences in OCD symptoms using the Dimensional Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DOCS), a redesigned measure that more reliably assesses the four most commonly replicated OCD symptom dimensions. A large sample of community participants with elevated levels of OCD symptoms (N = 297) was recruited from an online crowdsourcing marketplace. Surprisingly, no differences in means were observed across sexes. However, results did reveal sex differences when examining relations between OCD dimensions. In particular, correlations between the OCD symptom dimensions were stronger in males compared to females. The common perception of OCD as a heterogeneous disorder may hold for females more so than for males. Future research should seek to replicate these findings using multimethod approaches including clinical, behavioral, and neuroimaging assessments.

Accurately and reliably measuring the presence and severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms is essential for both routine clinical work and research. The current study investigated psychometric properties of the dimensional obsessive-compulsive scale-short form (DOCS-SF). DOCS-SF was developed and validated in Norwegian. DOCS-SF contains a checklist with four symptom categories and five severity items scored on a zero to eight scale yielding a total score of 0–40. Data were collected from adults with a current diagnosis of OCD (n = 204) and a community comparison group (n = 211). The results provided evidence of internal consistency and convergent validity, although evidence for discriminant validity was mixed. Evidence was also found for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and treatment sensitivity. The analyses suggested a cut-off score of 16. In summary, the data obtained proved similar to studies published on the original dimensional obsessive-compulsive scale. There is strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the DOCS-SF for assessing OCD symptoms in individuals with this condition and in non-clinical individuals. Copyright © 2017 Eilertsen, Hansen, Kvale, Abramowitz, Holm and Solem. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

This study evaluated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for scrupulosity-based obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Five adults were treated with eight sessions of ACT, without in-session exposure, in a multiple baseline across participants design. Daily monitoring of compulsions and avoided valued activities were tracked throughout the study. The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory–Revised, Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity, Beck Depression Inventory–II, Quality of Life Scale, Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. The Treatment Evaluation Inventory was completed at posttreatment. Average daily compulsions reduced as follows: pretreatment = 25.0, posttreatment = 5.6, and follow-up = 4.3. Average daily avoided valued activities reduced as follows: pretreatment = 6.0, posttreatment = 0.7, and follow-up = 0.5. Other measures showed similar patterns. Religious faith only slightly declined: 4% at posttreatment and 7% at follow-up. Treatment acceptability was high.

Current research to explore genetic susceptibility factors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has resulted in the tentative identification of a small number of genes. However, findings have not been readily replicated. It is now broadly accepted that a major limitation to this work is the heterogeneous nature of this disorder, and that an approach incorporating OCD symptom dimensions in a quantitative manner may be more successful in identifying both common as well as dimension-specific vulnerability genetic factors. As most existing genetic datasets did not collect specific dimensional severity ratings, a specific method to reliably extract dimensional ratings from the most widely used severity rating scale, the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), for OCD is needed. This project aims to develop and validate a novel algorithm to extrapolate specific dimensional symptom severity ratings in OCD from the existing YBOCS for use in genetics and other neurobiological research. To accomplish this goal, we used a large data set comprising adult subjects from three independent sites: the Brazilian OCD Consortium, the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada and the Hospital of Bellvitge, in Barcelona, Spain. A multinomial logistic regression was proposed to model and predict the quantitative phenotype [i.e., the severity of each of the five homogeneous symptom dimensions of the Dimensional YBOCS (DYBOCS)] in subjects who have only YBOCS (categorical) data. YBOCS and DYBOCS data obtained from 1183 subjects were used to build the model, which was tested with the leave-one-out cross-validation method. The model's goodness of fit, accepting a deviation of up to three points in the predicted DYBOCS score, varied from 78% (symmetry/order) to 84% (cleaning/contamination and hoarding dimensions). These results suggest that this algorithm may be a valuable tool for extracting dimensional phenotypic data for neurobiological studies in OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder which can substantially disable children's ability to function at home and school. Clinicians frequently rely on knowledge about symptoms that can be examined early in treatment to determine future treatment effectiveness. However, OCD in preschoolers has also received little attention in literature. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one retrospective chart review and one case report in the literature for preschool cases treated with SSRIs. Therefore, the effect of fluoxetine on preschool children was imprecisely understood. The aim of this case report was to examine the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine treatment for pediatric OCD. Four preschool children with OCD completed an 8-week fluoxetine (up to 20 mg) trial. We diagnosed OCD according to Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria and symptoms of OCD were assessed with the Childrens' Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Initial and post-treatment symptom severity and improvement were assessed by using the severity (S) and improvement (I) scales of Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI). The CY-BOCS total, obsessions and compulsions subscale scores and CGI-S scores were significantly improved for all of the cases at the end of the eighth week. In this case report four preschool children, with severe OCD and resistant to the previous non-psychopharmacologic treatment responded well to fluoxetine monotherapy. On the other hand, the usage of SSRIs in preschool children remains highly controversial, due to the lack of data on safety and efficacy.

The aim of this study was to explore the possible relationship between plasma clomipramine and its major metabolite (N-desmethylclomipramine) levels and related parameters, and clinical features in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Twenty-six outpatients (13 men, 13 women), suffering from OCD were consecutively enrolled in this study. The severity of OCD was assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The measurements were taken after 4 weeks and 6 months from the beginning of the treatment. The drug levels were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography method developed by us. The correlations between biological and clinical parameters were analyzed by means of Spearman's correlation coefficient. The Mann-Whitney test was used for comparing biological and clinical variables between men and women. The results showed that clomipramine levels were related to the doses at the two assessment times. A significant and positive correlation was detected at the beginning between the N-desmethylclomipramine ratio and the Y-BOCS total score; however, this was true only for men, where the similar correlations were measured also with the Y-BOCS subscale. After 6 months of clomipramine, men showed a significant improvement of the compulsions. These findings would highlight the potential impact of assessing clomipramine plasma levels and their relationships with specific symptoms, as well as the influence of the sex on the drug response.

This study describes the validation of the obsessive compulsive subscale on the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS OCD) for use as a clinical assessment tool. Data from 196 anxious children (102 males, ages 7-18) and their parent collected during a diagnostic assessment were compared to data from 420 children (206 males, ages 8-13) from the community collected by mail. The validity of the SCAS OCD parent- and child-report forms were supported by correlations with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and continuous OCD symptom variables from the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Child Version. In addition, children with OCD were found to have higher scores on the SCAS OCD subscale than patients without OCD and children from the community without a reported anxiety diagnosis. The sensitivity of the SCAS OCD to treatment effects was also demonstrated in a subset of the clinical sample that received exposure and response prevention therapy. Finally, cut-scores were identified that examine the sensitivity and predictive utility of the scales.

Onset/worsening of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during the perinatal period are frequently seen clinically. No specific tool assessing the unique content, context, severity, and onset of perinatal OCD exists. A self-report scale of perinatal obsessions and compulsions, the Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (POCS), was developed and validated. A total of 162 women (67 pregnant, 95 postpartum) participated in this pilot study. They completed the POCS as well as the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The POCS has good construct validity, reflected by representative items, high internal consistency, good concurrent validity and discriminative capacity. The most common obsessions were fear of having an unhealthy baby at birth, contamination, the baby being taken away, and infant death. Behavioral compulsions such as repeating rituals, asking for reassurance, checking, and cleaning mirrored these obsessions. The POCS helps clinicians detect perinatal OCD while giving perinatal women an opportunity to openly discuss socially sensitive issues.

OCD is a clinically heterogeneous condition. This heterogeneity has the potential to reduce power in genetic, neuroimaging, and clinical trials. Despite a mounting number of studies, there remains debate regarding the exact factor structure of OCD symptoms. The authors conducted a meta-analysis to determine the factor structure of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist.Studies were included if they involved subjects with OCD and included an exploratory factor analysis of the 13 Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist categories or the items therein. A varimax-rotation was conducted in SAS 9.1 using the PROC FACTOR CORR to extract factors from sample-size weighted co-occurrence matrices. Stratified meta-analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure of OCD in studies involving children and adults separately.Twenty-one studies involving 5,124 participants were included. The four factors generated were 1) symmetry: symmetry obsessions and repeating, ordering, and counting compulsions; 2) forbidden thoughts: aggression, sexual, religious, and somatic obsessions and checking compulsions, 3) cleaning: cleaning and contamination, and 4) hoarding: hoarding obsessions and compulsions. Factor analysis of studies including adults yielded an identical factor structure compared to the overall meta-analysis. Factor analysis of child-only studies differed in that checking loaded highest on the symmetry factor and somatic obsessions, on the cleaning factor.A four-factor structure explained a large proportion of the heterogeneity in the clinical symptoms of OCD. Further item-level factor analyses are needed to determine the appropriate placement of miscellaneous somatic and checking OCD symptoms.

This study sought to examine the effectiveness of group and individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and to compare the results with those of a wait-list control group among a sample of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fifty-seven individuals diagnosed with OCD were evaluated pre- and posttreatment with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety and Depression. Both group and individual CBT obtained statistically significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Patients in individual treatment achieved a statistically significant reduction in OCD symptoms compared with those in group treatment, but their dropout rate was twice as high. Patients with symmetry and order rituals presented less improvement in anxiety symptoms than those with other rituals. Associated general symptoms were lower in patients receiving either mode of CBT compared with wait-list participants. The authors found that individual treatment is more effective in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms than group treatment.