title: Quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an evaluation of impairment and a preliminary analysis of the ameliorating effects of treatment.
abstract: Despite the substantial impairments in life functioning associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), treatment outcome evaluations have focused almost exclusively on symptom reduction, a focus that may be too narrow to determine whether clinically significant change has occurred. Quality of life (QOL) impairment was evaluated in a clinical OCD sample (N=188) using a multidimensional life satisfaction measure. Relationships between treatment response and QOL change also were evaluated with a subsample of participants (n=120). Congruent with previous studies of OCD, substantial pretreatment QOL impairment was found across all life domains. Distinct treatment change subgroups were identified: a group reporting strong symptom reduction and very good QOL gains, a second group with significant symptom reduction but less robust QOL improvements, and a third group with limited symptom gains and QOL decreases. Implications for understanding OCD-related impairment and the clinical significance of treatment outcomes are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Norberg
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Calamari
authors.forename: Robyn J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Bradley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Riemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome