title: Characterizing impulsivity profile in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Impulsivity represents a key dimension in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in relation to outcome and course. It can be assessed through the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), which explores three main areas: attentional, motor, and nonplanning. Present study was aimed to assess level of impulsivity in a sample of OCD patients, in comparison with healthy controls, using the BIS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five OCD outpatients, 48 of them having psychiatric comorbidities and 70 healthy controls, were assessed through the BIS, and their scores were analyzed using Student's t-test for independent samples, on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BIS total scores were significantly higher (P: 0.01) in patients compared to controls, with no difference between pure and comorbid patients. Attentional impulsivity scores were significantly higher than controls in patients with pure (P < 0.001) and comorbid OCD (P < 0.001), without differences among them. Patients with multiple OC phenotypes showed higher, though statistically non significant, total and attentional scores, compared to single phenotype patients. In addition, patients with comorbid major depressive disorder had higher, though statistically non significant, total and attentional scores, compared to patients with comorbid bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and other disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present findings showed higher impulsivity levels in OCD patients versus controls, particularly in the attentional area, and ultimately suggest a potential cognitive implication.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di fisiopatologia medico-chirurgica e dei trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Salute Mentale, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benatti
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dell'Osso
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arici
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hollander
authors.forename: A Carlo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Altamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
keywords: Barratt impulsiveness scale; comorbidity; impulsivity; obsessive–compulsive disorder