Obsessive-compulsive syndromes in older adolescents

Objective: This report presents data on the prevalence of both obsessive-co mpulsive disorder (OCD) and subthreshold obsessive-compulsive syndrome (sOC S) in a representative sample of older male adolescents living in Piedmont, Italy. Method: A total of 1883 recruits to the Italian Defence Force were intervie wed using the OC portion of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. A diagnosis of sOCS was made for individuals who had obsessive and/or compulsive sympto ms but who failed to meet one of the severity criteria of impairment. The point and lifetime prevalence rates of OCD were 2.0% and 2.6%, respecti vely. In total, 12.3% of the subjects received a current diagnosis of sOCS. No differences were found when examining prevalence rates according to are a of residence or occupational status of the subjects. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OCD is as common in older male adoles cents as it is in adults, and that sOCS, being commonly endorsed in a gener al adolescent population, may represent a normal phenomenon in older adoles cents.