Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions in the general population: results from an epidemiological study in six European countries.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions and their sociodemographic and psychopathological correlates at the population level are unknown.


METHODS
Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions and mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 in a random subsample (n=2804) of individuals participating in a cross-sectional survey of the adult general population of six European countries.


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence of any obsessive-compulsive symptom dimension was 13%. Harm/Checking was the most prevalent dimension (8%) followed by Somatic obsessions (5%) and Symmetry/Ordering (3%). Females were more likely to have symptoms in Contamination/Cleaning (OR=3, 95%CI=1.06-8.51) and Somatic obsessions (OR=1.88, 95%CI=1.05-3.37). All symptom dimensions were associated with an increased risk of most mental (but not physical) disorders. There were some differences in prevalence between countries.


CONCLUSIONS
The interference associated with each symptom dimension could not be assessed. Few direct data are available on the validity of the CIDI to assess obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions are relatively frequent in the general population. Their sociodemographic and psychopathological correlates may be slightly different in clinical and community samples. They are associated with an increased risk of most mental disorders.
Fullana
M A
MA
Anxiety Unit, IAPS, Hospital del Mar and Department of Psychiatry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Miguel.Fullana@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Vilagut
G
G
Rojas-Farreras
S
S
Mataix-Cols
D
D
de Graaf
R
R
Demyttenaere
K
K
Haro
J M
JM
de Girolamo
G
G
Lépine
J P
JP
Matschinger
H
H
Alonso
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult