THE CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER - A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF AN IRISH SAMPLE

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and demographic de tails of a sample of patients with a principal diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: A retrospective review of fifty pat ients with DSM-III-R OCD referred to the Department of Behaviour Thera py at St. Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland between 1990 and 1991. S tandard clinical ratings were made before and after treatment. Ratings used included the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Fear Questionnaire (FQ), and the Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scor e (YBOCS). Results: The male to female ratio was almost equal and the mean duration of illness was 6.1 (SD 11 years). OCD presented in isola tion in a minority of cases (14%). A life time history of at least one other DSM-III-R axis I diagnosis, especially depression, was found in 72% of patients. Co-morbid Gilles de la Tourettes syndrome or epileps y was rare. The majority of patients were on medication prior to prese ntation (78%). Levels of symptomatology were reduced in 91% of patient s who completed treatment. Conclusions: Epidemiological research into the mass aspects of this disorder is required.