title: Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Medical Students: Prevalence, Severity, and Correlates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims were to estimate the prevalence and correlates of symptoms suggestive of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among medical students and investigate the severity and correlates of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom (OCS) dimensions in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study with 471 Brazilian medical students, who were assessed using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). The main outcomes were "probable OCD" (OCI-R score >27) and overall/dimensional OCI-R scores. Sociodemographic data, depressive symptoms, and several aspects of academic life were also investigated. Bivariate analyses were followed by regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen (3.8%) participants presented probable OCD, which was associated with depression. The mean OCI-R score was 8.9, and greater overall severity was independently associated with being a freshman, difficulty in adaptation, and depressive symptoms. Higher scores in the "checking" and "washing" dimensions were associated with being a freshman, in the "neutralization" and "ordering" dimensions with adaptation difficulties, and in the "hoarding" dimension with adaptation difficulties and depressive symptoms. The "obsession" dimension was associated with being a freshman, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and psychological/psychiatric treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probable OCD is more frequent in medical students than in the general population and is associated with depressive symptoms. Efforts are required to identify OCS in this population, particularly among first-year students and to provide treatment, when necessary. Institutional programs that properly receive freshmen, enhancing their integration with other colleagues and their adaptation to the city, may decrease the level of stress and, consequently, OCS severity.
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil. torresar@fmb.unesp.br.
authors.forename: Albina R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruna L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Vicentini
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Teresa A
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Ramos-Cerqueira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Medical students: behavioral sciences; Medical students: emotional problems; Mental health; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Obsessive-compulsive symptoms