Obsessive-compulsive disorder and cyclothymic temperament: an exploration of clinical features.
BACKGROUND
Bipolar disorder comorbidity in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has relevant implications on the symptomatological expression, complications and pharmacologic treatment of the disorder. Relatively few data exist on OCD comorbid with soft-bipolar forms. The aims of the study are to evaluate affective temperaments in patients with OCD and to analyze differences in socio-demographic and clinical characteristics according to the presence or absence of cyclothymic temperament.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 167 patients with a principal diagnosis of OCD (DSM-IV-TR). Affective temperaments have been evaluated through the Italian semistructured interview version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS-I).


RESULTS
A total of 90 patients (53.9%) were diagnosed with a dominant affective temperament. Cyclothymic affective temperament (CT) was the most represented in the sample of OCD patients (19.2%). Patients with CT showed significant lower mean age at onset, higher scores at the HAM-A, more repeating compulsions, higher rates of eating disorder comorbidity, OCD spectrum disorder comorbidity and higher rates of Axis II comorbidity (particularly Cluster A).


CONCLUSIONS
Recruitment of OCD patients from a tertiary center. Absence of an investigation about treatment implications associated with cyclothymic temperament.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with OCD and CT could be more severe and complicated compared to patients without CT. Moreover, individuals with OCD spectrum disorders may be vulnerable to bipolarity. Systematic assessment of affective temperament is necessary to detect OCD with such a soft-bipolar comorbidity.
D'Ambrosio
Virginia
V
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 11, Turin, Italy.
Albert
Umberto
U
Bogetto
Filippo
F
Maina
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003527:Cyclothymic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013694:Temperament