Demographics, Prevalence, and Clinical Features of the Schizo-obsessive Subtype of Schizophrenia

The schizo-obsessive subtype of schizophrenia has been proposed to describe the condition of patients with chronic psychotic disorders and prominent obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. These patients differ from others with schizophrenia not only in their psychopathology, but perhaps also in their prognosis and pharmacotherapeutic response. Potent serotonin reuptake blockers, such as clomipramine, fluvoxamine, and fluoxetine, in conjunction with antipsychotics, can prove helpful in improving these patients' OC symptoms. The current study to access the demographics, prevalence, and clinical features of the schizo-obsessive subtype included established outpatients with a principal diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated at a large urban public hospital. More than 50% of the hospital's psychiatric population is Hispanic. The Modified Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MMOCI) was used to identify prominent compulsive symptoms. Of the 52 patients who fulfilled the specific screening criteria, 17 (33%) also had prominent OC symptoms. Surprisingly, there was a statistical trend (P=0.06) for Hispanic patients to meet our threshold for the schizo-obsessive subtype. The MMOCI proved to be an adequate and efficient self-rated screening tool. The prevalence of the schizo-obsessive subtype, especially among Hispanic patients, highlights the importance for mental health professionals working with this population to identify and appropriately treat this group of patients.