title: [Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are common with a high prevalence of 3.5 % in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The present article reviews different aspects (epidemiology, aetiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment).
  
  
  METHODS
  A computerized search of the relevant literature was done using Pubmed and Cochrane databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Difficulties in diagnosing obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults with ID result from difficulties in differentiating true compulsions from stereotypical and repetitive behaviors as also from the fact that patients with ID have cognitive and language impairments. Genetic diseases are most frequently the cause of congenital intellectual disability but only a few with ID are affected by OCD symptoms. Low-dose serotonergic anti-depressants are used in the treatment of OCD symptoms. However, there are only a few controlled treatment studies of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in people with ID.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research especially regarding treatment of OCD in people with ID is urgently needed.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mavrogiorgou
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schabos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juckel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents