How common is obsessive-compulsive disorder in a dermatology outpatient clinic?
BACKGROUND
This study was prompted by reports suggesting a high prevalence of unrecognized obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the dermatology clinic.


METHODS
92 consecutive dermatology referrals were screened for DSM-IV OCD using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Inverview (MINI), the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), and the 5-item screening questionnaire from the International Council on OCD. Illness severity was rated on the YBOCS, and symptom profiles and dermatologic diagnoses were established for screen-positive cases.


RESULTS
18 patients (20%) qualified for a DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD, of whom 17 were previously undiagnosed. The range and type of OCD symptoms covered the normal clinical spectrum. Most patients had more than 1 symptom, and among obsessions (including somatic obsessions), checking, washing, and symmetry were common. The mean total YBOCS score was 16/40 (SD = 7.2), indicating moderate OCD, and 40% of the positive cases scored 16 or higher. Dermatologic diagnoses were various and did not seem to bear a direct relationship with the OCD.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that there is a high prevalence of clinically relevant OCD in the dermatology clinic. This is an area that merits attention with regard to better recognition and treatment for OCD sufferers.
Fineberg
Naomi A
NA
Hertfordshire Partnership, NHS Trust, London, UK. kim.fox@hpt.nhs.uk
O'Doherty
Connor
C
Rajagopal
Sundararajan
S
Reddy
Karen
K
Banks
Annabelle
A
Gale
Tim M
TM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology