Cognitive Process in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive process deficits are increasingly investigated as a potential etiological factor in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
• Previous research suggests a link between cognitive impairments and the development or maintenance of OCD.
• This study specifically examines and compares cognitive functions in OCD patients versus healthy controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cognitive process performance between patients diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and a healthy control group.
• To identify specific cognitive domains affected in individuals with OCD.
• To provide empirical data supporting cognitive deficits as a key feature of OCD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 43 patients with OCD and 43 matched healthy controls.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST) and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).
• Data were analyzed using statistical methods including Chi-square, Independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson correlation.

Main Results:

• No significant demographic differences were observed between the OCD and healthy groups.
• Patients with OCD demonstrated significantly poorer performance on all subscales of the WCST and on PASAT tests (PASAT3, PASAT2) compared to healthy controls.
• These results highlight widespread cognitive impairments in individuals with OCD.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) experience deficiencies across various cognitive processes.
• Cognitive assessment and targeted interventions addressing these deficits could significantly improve treatment outcomes for OCD patients.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering cognitive function in the comprehensive management of OCD.