Health-related quality of life among first-degree relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in Italy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was, first, to examine health-related quality of life among relatives of Italian patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and, second, to search for potential predictors of quality of life among these relatives.


METHODS
Health-related quality of life was assessed among 64 non-psychiatrically ill family members of 48 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders were used to assess obsessive-compulsive disorder among the patients. Mean SF-36 scores of participants were compared with expected scores for 2,031 persons from the Italian general population (Italian norms) by using the one-sample t test. Correlates of health-related quality of life were examined by means of independent-sample t tests and Pearson correlations; variables significantly associated with SF-36 subscales were entered into a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis with the physical and mental components as dependent variables.


RESULTS
Relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder showed a greater impairment in health-related quality of life in the SF-36 subscales of role limitations due to physical health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. When a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed with the physical component and the mental component of the SF-36 as dependent variables, female gender, older age, and the total score on the Family Accommodation Scale predicted a poorer score on the physical component, whereas the only predictor of a poorer score on the mental component was the patient's Y-BOCS total score.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides evidence that obsessive-compulsive disorder impairs health-related quality of life among family members of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, even among healthy family members. Involving family members in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder could improve their perceived quality of life.
Albert
Umberto
U
Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Italy, Via Cherasco 11, Torino 10126, Italy. umberto_albert@hotmail.com
Salvi
Virginio
V
Saracco
Paola
P
Bogetto
Filippo
F
Maina
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; D011788:Quality of Life