Patterns of Axis-II comorbidity in a Turkish OCD sample

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often comorbid with Axis-II personality disorders.
• Previous research indicates a higher prevalence of Cluster A and C personality disorders in OCD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Axis-II personality disorder comorbidity patterns in a Turkish OCD sample.
• To examine the influence of personality disorder symptoms on OCD symptom severity and profile.

Main Methods:

• Utilized structured psychiatric interviews and self-report measures for OCD and Axis-II disorders.
• Compared patients with OCD to a control group.

Main Results:

• OCD patients scored significantly higher on measures of Cluster A and Cluster C personality disorders.
• Elevated scores were noted on the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Subscale, but not other Cluster B subscales.
• Marked group differences were observed for Cluster A and C disorders.

Conclusions:

• Findings support previous research on increased Axis-II disorder incidence in OCD patients.
• Comorbidity with Cluster A and C personality disorders is a significant feature in OCD populations.