[Recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia]

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are common in patients with schizophrenia. Although these symptoms are associated with an unfavourable course of the illness, in many cases they are not recognised or treated. The situation for patients with schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could improve considerably now that more advanced diagnostic techniques and better treatment options have been available.

To provide an overview of current knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment options.

We searched the literature for relevant articles.

With careful diagnosis OCS could be better noticed. Based on the time of onset of the OCS and the relationship between these symptoms and the use of antipsychotics, we propose a treatment strategy.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as various pharmacotherapeutic strategies, are promising treatment options that could deployed more frequently to treat persistent OCD in schizophrenia. Although the research findings are homogeneous, the methodological quality of the studies is still low.