Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorders and duration of eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (ED) and examined the relationship between OCD comorbidity and the duration of ED. Subjects with OCD were expected to show a longer history of ED.


METHODS
ED females (N = 237; 84 with anorexia nervosa and 153 with bulimia nervosa) were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-1). Data were analyzed by logistic regression to determine whether OCD comorbidity is associated with duration of ED.


RESULTS
The total sample showed a prevalence rate for OCD of 29.5%. OCD prevalence did not differ between anorexic and bulimic subjects. OCD comorbidity was significantly associated with a longer history of ED.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the study support previous research indicating a high comorbidity of ED with OCD. The results also suggest that OCD may play a role in the course of ED. Prospective studies are necessary to examine this hypothesis further.
Milos
Gabriella
G
Psychiatric Polyclinic, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriella.milos@psy.usz.ch
Spindler
Anja
A
Ruggiero
Giovanni
G
Klaghofer
Richard
R
Schnyder
Ulrich
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors