title: Quality of life and subthreshold obsessive-compulsive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the relationship between subthreshold obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and quality of life (QoL) in a sample from the Italian general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 202 psychiatrically healthy (defined as absence of current axis I and axis II disorders) subjects was recruited by word of mouth from the residential population in the Siena, Salerno and Milano municipalities (Italy). All study subjects completed the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Questionnaire for Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum (OBS-SR), which explore a wide array of threshold and subthreshold OCD symptoms, behaviours and traits. A diagnostic assessment was conducted to exclude the presence of DSM-IV axis I and axis II disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant correlation was found between the OBS-SR total score and the Q-LES-Q domains of physical health, subjective feelings, work, school, social relationships and general activities. There was also a statistically significant correlation between several Q-LES-Q and OBS-SR domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of subthreshold OCD is correlated with poorer QoL. More research is needed to evaluate if specific therapeutic interventions targeting subthreshold obsessive-compulsive symptoms can lead to a significant improvement in the QoL of the affected individuals.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goracci
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinucci
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anastassia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaperoni
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagiolini
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sbaragli
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castrogiovanni