Obsessive-compulsive syndromes in older adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This report presents data on the prevalence of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and subthreshold obsessive-compulsive syndrome (sOCS) in a representative sample of older male adolescents living in Piedmont, Italy.


METHODS
A total of 1,883 recruits to the Italian Defence Force were interviewed using the OC portion of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. A diagnosis of sOCS was made for individuals who had obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms but who failed to meet one of the severity criteria of impairment.


RESULTS
The point and lifetime prevalence rates of OCD were 2.0% and 2.6%, respectively. In total, 12.3% of the subjects received a current diagnosis of sOCS. No differences were found when examining prevalence rates according to area of residence or occupational status of the subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that OCD is as common in older male adolescents as it is in adults, and that sOCS, being commonly endorsed in a general adolescent population, may represent a normal phenomenon in older adolescents.
Maina
G
G
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Unit, University of Turin, Italy.
Albert
U
U
Bogetto
F
F
Ravizza
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence