Genetic aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review

Genetic aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are reviewed. The prevalence of OCD is higher than believed previously, probably affecting about 1-3% of the adult population, and the search for etiologic factors has increased. All family studies indicate that OCD in relatives of patients is much more common than the general risk for OCD in the population, and during the past decade some well-conducted family studies, using uniform diagnostic criteria, have been performed. There have been no good twin studies, specifically focusing on OCD. There is still a need for genetic research in the field of OCD and related disorders.