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Sex differences in the phenotypic expression of obsessive-compulsive disorder: an exploratory study from Brazil.
- Source :
-
Comprehensive psychiatry [Compr Psychiatry] 2009 Jan-Feb; Vol. 50 (1), pp. 63-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Aug 29. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Previous studies have shown differences in clinical features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) between men and women, including mean age at onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), types of OCS, comorbid disorders, course, and prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare male and female Brazilian patients with OCD on several demographic and clinical characteristics. Three hundred thirty outpatients with OCD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition [DSM-IV], criteria) who sought treatment at 3 Brazilian public universities and at 2 private practice clinics in the city of São Paulo were evaluated. The assessment instruments used were the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale to evaluate OCD severity and symptoms, the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Axis I Disorders to assess psychiatric comorbidity. Fifty-five percent of the patients (n = 182) were men who were significantly more likely than women to be single and to present sexual, religious, and symmetry obsessions and mental rituals. They also presented earlier onset of OCS and earlier symptom interference in functioning, and significantly more comorbid tic disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Women, besides showing significantly higher mean scores in the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, were more likely to present comorbid simple phobias, eating disorders in general and anorexia in particular, impulse control disorders in general, and compulsive buying and skin picking in particular. No significant differences were observed between sexes concerning family history of OCS or OCD, and global symptoms severity, either in obsession or compulsive subscale. The present study confirms the presence of sex-related differences described in other countries and cultures. The fact that the OCS start earlier and probably have a worse impact in men can eventually lead to more specific and efficacious treatment approaches for these patients.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Brazil epidemiology
Catchment Area, Health
Child
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder diagnosis
Research Design
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder epidemiology
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder genetics
Phenotype
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1532-8384
- Volume :
- 50
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Comprehensive psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19059516
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.05.005