Prevalence, quality of life and psychosocial function in obsessive-compulsive disorder and subclinical obsessive-compulsive disorder in northern Germany

Background: Despite the worldwide relevance of obsessive-compulsive disorde r (OCD) there are considerable differences in prevalence rates and gender r atios between the studies and a substantial lack of prevalence data on subc linical OCD. Moreover, data on quality of life and on psychosocial function of subjects with OCD and subclinical OCD in the general population are mis sing to date. Methods: German versions of the DSM-IV adapted Composite International Diag nostic Interview were administered to a representative sample of 4075 perso ns aged 18-64 years living in a northern German region. Specific DSM-IV bas ed criteria for subclinical OCD were used. Results: The life-time prevalence rates for OCD and subclinical OCD were 0. 5 % and 2 %, respectively. Twelve month prevalence rates were 0.39 % and 1. 6%, respectively. The gender female:male ratio was 5.7 in OCD and 1.2 in su bclinical OCD. In various measures of psychosocial function and quality of life, OCD and subclinical OCD were significantly impaired. However, subclin ical OCD subjects did not visit mental health professionals more often than controls. Conclusion: Due to different epidemiological characteristics subclinical OC D might represent a syndrome dis tinct from OCD which is also associated wi th significant impairments in personal and interpersonal functions and in q uality of life.