Clinical and neuropsychological profiles of obsessive-compulsive schizophrenia: A pilot study

This pilot study compared characteristics of obsessive-compulsive (OC) schi zophrenic patients and a matched non-OC schizophrenic control group. The OC -schizophrenic group required more intensive clinical interventions and had a poorer clinical course, lower levels of functioning, and longer periods of hospitalization. They showed greater negative symptoms and move impaired executive functioning. These findings suggest OC-schizophrenic patients ma y have an atypical set of clinical and neuropsychiatric characteristics, pe rhaps constituting a subgroup within the schizophrenia spectrum. Pathophysi ology and possible treatment implications require further study.