Juvenile obsessive-compulsive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of a series of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and evaluate the outcome of treatment.


METHODS
Type of symptoms, severity before and after treatment and factors associated with outcome were examined in a large group (n = 82) of consecutive OCD cases referred for treatment.


RESULTS
Most children (95%) had both obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms had been present for 2 years on average. Seventy-one per cent (n = 57) of all eligible patients completed a combined behavioural and pharmacological protocol. Among these, there was a 68% remission rate and a 60% decrease of symptoms at 4 weeks. Comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder and high aggression scores were associated with poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Juvenile OCD can be treated effectively in a standard clinical setting. Treatment programs of the kind described are accepted by young people. It remains to be seen whether in this age group a combined treatment produces better results than medication alone or cognitive-behaviour therapy alone.
Wever
C
C
Rivendell Adolescent Unit, Concord West, New South Wales, Australia.
Rey
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; D002997:Clomipramine