Clinico-demographic profiles in obsessive compulsive disorders

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most prevalent and debilitating mental illnesses. The present study was conducted to find out the clinico-demographic profiles of Nepalese OCD patients in the local set up.

We used the criteria of OCD as per the ICD-10: Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders' as a diagnostic and 'Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale' as a rating tool. Patients diagnosed as OCD were included and related information collected with their consent.

Of 60 cases, 39 (65%) were male. The most common age groups were 20-29 (43%) and 30-39 (28%). Most of the subjects were relatively better educated. About half were married. More than half presented after more than five years of onset of illness. Seventy percent had some precipitating stressors. The most common obsessions were doubt (62%) and ruminations (57%); and compulsions checking (35%) and washing (28%). Somatic (28%) and mood symptoms (22%) were other common presenting complaints. About 7% had high suicidal intents. Nearly two thirds presented when they had YBOC Score of severe ranges, mean YBOC score being in the severe range (24).

Most of the OCD patients present late only when severely affected. This indicates need for public awareness program in our set up.