Clozapine and obsessions in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Background: The increase or emergence of obsessions was compared in young p atients with recent-onset schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders taking clozapine and other antipsychotic drugs. Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Subjects were 121 consec utively admitted patients diagnosed with DSM-III-R schizophrenia, schizoaff ective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or psychotic disorder not other wise specified. Obsessions were diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. Results: More clozapine-treated subjects (20.6%) than subjects treated with other antipsychotic drugs (1.3%) experienced an emergence or increase of o bsessions (p < .01). Conclusion: Use of clozapine is associated with the emergence or increase o f obsessions in early-phase schizophrenia.