A Study of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Study

Lee, Jun Young; Roh, Myoung Sun; Kim, Yong Sik; Kang, Ung Gu

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is highly prevalent in schizophrenia. And it has been suggested that schizophrenic patients with OCD have longer hospitalization, lower employment rate, and more severe psychopathology compared to those without OCD. The present study aimed to evaluate (1) the prevalence of OCD in subjects with schizophrenia, (2) the prognosis in schizophrenia with OCD, (3) the characteristics of OC symptoms, (4) the change of OC symptoms with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 63 patients with schizophrenia and classified patients according to the existence of OC symptoms. And we evaluated the clinical and demographic data in 12 schizophrenic patients with OC symptoms and 51 schizophrenic patients without OC symptoms.
RESULTS
Schizophrenic patients with OCD had more severe psychopathology (higher CGI) and poorer social functioning (lower GAF) than those without OCD. Social functoning estimated by the rate of employment showed near-significant differences between the two groups and the number of hospitalization was not significantly different. SSRI improved the OC symptoms in seven (70%) of the 10 SSRI users.
CONCLUSION
Schizophrenic patients with OC symptoms had severe psychopathlogy and low social adaptation and needed antiobsessional therapy.