Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and positive, negative, and depressive symptoms in patients with recent-onset schizophrenic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To study the relation between obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and positive, negative, and depressive symptoms in patients with recent-onset schizophrenic disorders.


METHODS
We undertook a prospective study of 113 consecutively hospitalized patients with recent-onset schizophrenia or related disorders diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. We compared 3 subgroups: one without comorbid OCS, one with OCS not fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and one with comorbid OCD diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. We assessed OCS severity at admission and 6 weeks thereafter with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were independently administered.


RESULTS
At admission, patients with schizophrenic disorders and OCD had higher mean MADRS scores than both other groups; patients with OCS not fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for OCD had lower mean PANSS negative subscale scores than both other groups. After 6 weeks, there were no significant between-group differences, and OCS severity remained constant.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute patients with recent-onset schizophrenia and OCD have more severe depressive symptoms but do differ in negative symptoms, compared with patients without comorbid OCD. Mild OCS may be related to less severe negative symptoms. During regular inpatient treatment, OCS severity remains constant
de Haan
Lieuwe
L
Academic Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. l.dehaan@amc.uva.nl
Hoogenboom
Britt
B
Beuk
Nico
N
van Amelsvoort
Therese
T
Linszen
Don
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires