[Children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorders]

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Longitudinal Psychiatric Research
• Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Context:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often emerges in childhood or adolescence, necessitating understanding of its long-term trajectory.
• Previous research indicates variable long-term outcomes for pediatric OCD, but comprehensive follow-up data remains crucial.
• This study examines former pediatric OCD patients to assess persistent symptoms and comorbid conditions over a six-year period.

Purpose:

• To prospectively evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) originating in childhood or adolescence.
• To identify the prevalence of persistent OCD symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities in a cohort of treated former patients.
• To contribute to the understanding of the chronicity of early-onset OCD and inform treatment strategies.

Summary:

• A cohort of 30 individuals treated for childhood/adolescent OCD was reassessed after six years.
• At follow-up, 46.7% met DSM-IV criteria for persistent OCD, and 23.3% had subclinical symptoms.
• Comorbid psychiatric disorders, primarily anxiety and affective disorders, were present in 70% of participants; only six achieved full remission.

Impact:

• The persistence rate of 46.7% aligns with meta-analytic findings, suggesting limited impact of current treatments on long-term OCD trajectories.
• Findings underscore the chronic nature of early-onset OCD and the high likelihood of developing comorbid conditions.
• Further research is warranted to analyze factors contributing to OCD persistence and to explore enhanced treatment interventions.