Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia: their relationship with clinical features and pharmacological treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the frequency of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in patients with schizophrenia, (2) the impact of OCS on clinical features of schizophrenia, and (3) the association between type of antipsychotic treatment and presence of OCS.


METHODS
OCS were evaluated using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) in 70 patients with schizophrenia. The patients were then divided into two subgroups: those with at least a moderate level of OCS and those with mild or absent OCS. The two subgroups were compared using scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF).


RESULTS
Of the 70 patients with schizophrenia who were evaluated, 36 (51.4%) had at least moderate OCS (Y-BOCS score >16). SAPS subscale scores for hallucinations and delusions and GAF scores were found to be significantly higher among patients with at least moderate OCS, compared with those with mild or absent OCS. A significant relationship between at least moderate OCS and treatment with conventional antipsychotics was also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of OCS seems to have the potential to affect clinical outcomes in schizophrenia and treatment with conventional antipsychotics appears to be correlated with the presence of OCS.
Nolfe
Giovanni
G
Psychiatric Operative Unit 24, Department of Mental Health Naples 1, Via Monte di Dio 25, Naples, Italy. giovanni.nolfe@virgilio.it
Milano
Walter
W
Zontini
Gemma
G
Petrella
Claudio
C
De Rosa
Michele
M
Rundle-Smith
Sarah
S
Nolfe
Giuseppe
G
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents