Probability of obsessive and compulsive symptoms in Huntington's disease.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine the probability of obsessive and compulsive (OC) symptoms across stages of Huntington's disease (HD) with both cross sectional and longitudinal data.


METHODS
We present the largest sample to date of individuals at risk for HD (N = 3964). Obsessive and compulsive symptoms were assessed with the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale OC items.


RESULTS
The probability of meeting the threshold for obsessions and compulsions increased with greater disease severity. Those with no motor abnormalities ("at risk") had a 7% probability of obsessions and a 3.5% probability of compulsions; the peak probability for obsessions (24%) and compulsions (12%) occurred in patients with advanced disease with significant functional disability.


CONCLUSIONS
The probability of OC symptoms is more than three times greater by stages 3 and 4 (clearly manifest disease) than in our at-risk group with no apparent motor abnormalities.
Beglinger
Leigh J
LJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1000, USA. leigh-beglinger@uiowa.edu
Langbehn
Douglas R
DR
Duff
Kevin
K
Stierman
Laura
L
Black
Donald W
DW
Nehl
Carissa
C
Anderson
Karen
K
Penziner
Elizabeth
E
Paulsen
Jane S
JS
D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012306:Risk