Predictors of course in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Systematic studies of course of illness in obsessive-compulsive disorder (O CD) using standardized diagnostic criteria are relatively rare. In the pres ent study, 100 patients diagnosed with OCD were prospectively followed for up to 5 years. Other comorbid conditions included anxiety disorders (76%), major depressive disorder (33%), and at least one personality disorder (33% ), mainly in the anxious cluster. Approximately 20% of patients had full re mission and 50% had partial remission during follow-up. Significant predict ors of partial remission included being married and having lower global sev erity scores at intake; the presence of major depression was marginally pre dictive of poorer course. Adequate serotonergic medication was associated w ith worse course, but findings are likely spurious. Only marital status and global severity were retained as predictors in a final regression model. F indings are discussed with regard to sample characteristics and similarity to other reports on predictors of course and of treatment outcome. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.