Obsessive-compulsive disorder with and without tic disorder: a comparative study from India.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Previous Western studies suggest tic-related obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) differs from non-tic-related OCD.
• This study investigates these differences in an Indian population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine sociodemographic, symptom, and comorbidity differences in Indian patients with and without tics.
• To determine if the clinical profile of tic-related OCD in India aligns with previous international reports.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 50 subjects with OCD and tics (chronic motor tics/Tourette syndrome) and 141 subjects with OCD without tics.
• Analysis included sociodemographics, symptom profiles, and comorbidities, including obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.

Main Results:

• OCD with tics was more prevalent in males and had an earlier onset.
• Symmetry/aggressive and religious obsessions, along with cleaning, ordering, hoarding, and repeating compulsions, were more common.
• Associated conditions included trichotillomania and hypochondriasis. Early onset, male gender, aggressive obsessions, cleaning compulsions, and trichotillomania were significant predictors.

Conclusions:

• Findings from India are largely consistent with Western data, highlighting universal differences between tic-related and non-tic-related OCD.
• This supports the role of tics in contributing to the heterogeneity of OCD presentations.