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Early onset of obsessive–compulsive disorder and associated comorbidity
Author(s) -
Janowitz Deborah,
Grabe Hans Joergen,
Ruhrmann Stephan,
Ettelt Susan,
Buhtz Friederike,
Hochrein Andrea,
SchulzeRauschenbach Svenja,
Meyer Klaus,
Kraft Susanne,
Ferber Claudia,
Pukrop Ralf,
Freyberger Harald J.,
Klosterkötter Joachim,
Falkai Peter,
John Ulrich,
Maier Wolfgang,
Wagner Michael
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
depression and anxiety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6394
pISSN - 1091-4269
DOI - 10.1002/da.20597
Subject(s) - comorbidity , anxiety , tourette syndrome , psychiatry , age of onset , mood disorders , psychology , clinical psychology , schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , tics , odds ratio , medicine , disease
Background: Previous studies have aimed to identify subtypes of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) based on their age of onset (AOO). Obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders (OCS disorders) such as tic disorders have been particularly associated with an early onset in some studies. However, subtypes of early‐ and late‐onset OCD are unevenly determined, and the biological and the clinical validity of these subtypes are unknown. This study was undertaken to discriminate the subtypes of OCD in different AOO levels and to test the hypothesis that different AOO bands are associated with a differential pattern of comorbidity. Methods: Two hundred fifty‐two patients with OCD were interviewed directly with the German version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Lifetime Anxiety Version, which provides DSM‐IV diagnosis. Subgroups with different ages of onset were investigated (cut‐off levels of 10, 15, and 18 years). Results: Subjects with an early AOO (onset ≤10 years) were significantly more likely to have OCS disorders (odds ratio [OR]=3.46; P =.001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–6.96), in particular tic/Tourette's disorders (OR=4.63; P =.002; 95% CI: 1.78–12.05), than were late‐onset subjects. Conclusions: For most mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and mood disorders), no associations with AOO of OCD were identified. However, subjects in the early‐onset group (≤10 years) had a significant increase in comorbid tic and Tourette's disorders. Future research should examine potential neurobiological features associated with early‐onset presentations of OCD. Early detection and management of comorbidities may offset impairments later in life. Depression and Anxiety 26:1012–1017, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.