The Abundance of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Diagnostic Validity of Schizo-Obsessive Subtype

Introduction: On the basis of research and clinical observations, obsessive -compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive -compulsive symptoms (OCS) occur in a considerably high proportion of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. According to the results of different epidemiological studies, investigators suggest schizo-obsessive subtype. The aim of the study was to evaluate diagnostic validity of schizo-obsessive subtype by determining the prevalence of OCD/ OCS in the patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and its relation to some of clinical characteristics of these patients. Methods: A total of 91 patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder were assessed via the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition (DSM-V) using Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, x2 and independent t-test. Results: Results showed that the prevalence of OCS in this study was 47.17% and the prevalence of OCD was 18.66%. Obsessive compulsive contamination hadthehighest prevalence in this sample. Compared with psychotic patients without OCD/OCS, the patients with OCD/COS had earlier onset of psychosis, higher numbers of hospitalizations and higher numbers of drugs and suicide attempts. Also, the prevalence of OCD/OCS in the patients with first-episode psychosis was 15.62%. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that schizo-obsessive subtype has diagnostic validity. To confirm this hypothesis, it is necessary that longitudinal studies are planned from early stages of psychosis to long-term consequences.