Obsessive compulsive disorder in psychiatric outpatients

Abstract EN

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is common among psychiatric outpatients.

Studies that investigate OCD epidemiological and clinical characteristics are lacking in Yemen. Objectives: To examine the prevalence, socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of obsessive compulsive disorder among psychiatric outpatients.

Patients & Methods: The records of the outpatient clinic were studied, 60 patients were given a diagnosis of OCD.

Three cases were excluded because they did not meet the DSM-IV criteria of OCD.

.The case notes of those patients were studied, data collected and statistically analyzed. Results: OCD patients formed 2.2% of the outpatient population.

75.44% were males, 61.4% were in the age range of 21-30 years.52.6% were married.

The mean age of onset was 21.7 years.

The mean duration between onset of symptoms and psychiatric consultation was 2.5 years. Obsessions were the main presentation (58%) where as both obsessions and compulsions were 42%.

The most common obsession was fear of contamination, while the main compulsion was washing.

The commonest co morbid diagnosis was major depressive disorder. Conclusion: OCD was not so common among psychiatric outpatients in Yemen.

Males were much more than females.

Married more than unmarried.

Obsessions alone were more commonly presented than both obsessions and compulsions.