Gender differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Findings from a multicentric study from India

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibits significant phenotypic heterogeneity.
• Gender is recognized as a crucial factor influencing OCD's presentation and course.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender-based differences in the phenomenology and comorbidities of OCD.
• To analyze how gender mediates the diverse clinical presentations of OCD in a large Indian cohort.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional assessment of 945 adult, treatment-seeking OCD patients in India.
• Utilized DSM-5 criteria and standardized instruments including the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Beck's Depression Inventory.
• Employed multivariate logistic regression to identify gender-specific characteristics and comorbidities.

Main Results:

• Males showed higher education, more checking compulsions, and higher rates of substance use disorders.
• Females reported more precipitating factors, hoarding compulsions, and comorbid agoraphobia.
• Significant gender differences were observed in OCD symptom presentation and associated conditions.

Conclusions:

• Gender plays a vital role in mediating the phenotypic heterogeneity of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• These gender-based differences likely result from intricate biological, cultural, and environmental interactions.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering gender in OCD diagnosis and treatment strategies.