OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PRURITIC CONDITIONS - CASE-STUDIES AND DISCUSSION

Background: Relatively few persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) come to psychiatric clinics for treatment. Our hypothesis was th e patients with a form of OCD that involves compulsive hand and body w ashing might initially seek treatment from a dermatologist. Objective: Our purpose was to screen patients attending a dermatology clinic to determine the frequency of OCD cases and to help dermatologists recogn ize this disorder. Methods: Randomly selected patients who presented w ith one of several chronic pruritic conditions were interviewed to det ermine the presence of anxiety disorders. Results: A significantly hig h percentage of the patients (14%) were found to have previously undia gnosed OCD. Case studies of five of these patients are presented. Conc lusion: A significant number of patients with undiagnosed OCD appear t o present to dermatology clinics. Identification and referral for psyc hiatric consultation may aid in the treatment of both OCD and concomit ant dermatologic conditions.