Deep clinical phenotyping of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: an approach towards detection of organic causes and first results

Abstract In the revised diagnostic classification systems ICD-11 and DSM-5, secondary, organic forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are implemented as specific nosological entities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify whether a comprehensive screening approach, such as the Freiburg-Diagnostic-Protocol for patients with OCD (FDP-OCD), is beneficial for detecting organic OCD forms. The FDP-OCD includes advanced laboratory tests, an expanded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, and electroencephalography (EEG) investigations as well as automated MRI and EEG analyses. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and genetic analysis were added for patients with suspected organic OCD. The diagnostic findings of the first 61 consecutive OCD inpatients (32 female and 29 male; mean age: 32.7 ± 12.05 years) analyzed using our protocol were investigated. A probable organic cause was assumed in five patients (8%), which included three patients with autoimmune OCD (one patient with neurolupus and two with specific novel neuronal antibodies in CSF) and two patients with newly diagnosed genetic syndromes (both with matching MRI alterations). In another five patients (8%), possible organic OCD was detected (three autoimmune cases and two genetic cases). Immunological serum abnormalities were identified in the entire patient group, particularly with high rates of decreased “neurovitamin” levels (suboptimal vitamin D in 75% and folic acid in 21%) and increased streptococcal (in 46%) and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs; in 36%). In summary, the FDP-OCD screening led to the detection of probable or possible organic OCD forms in 16% of the patients with mostly autoimmune forms of OCD. The frequent presence of systemic autoantibodies such as ANAs further support the possible influence of autoimmune processes in subgroups of patients with OCD. Further research is needed to identify the prevalence of organic OCD forms and its treatment options.