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Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in the General Population Under Stressful Conditions: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19
Luca Pellegrini1,2,3,4, Umberto Albert1,2, Claudia Carmassi5
1Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34128 Trieste, Italy.
Brain Sciences
|January 8, 2025
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic may have caused new cases of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in 10.3% of the general population. Factors like being male and high stress levels were identified as potential risks.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted global mental health.
- Fear, stress, and uncertainty may have triggered or worsened obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in the Italian general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with new-onset OC symptoms.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted as part of the nationwide COvid Mental hEalth Trial (COMET) project.
- A representative sample of 20,720 individuals from the Italian general population participated in the survey.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) scores were used to assess symptom severity.
Main Results:
- A total of 11.3% of participants (N=2332) reported clinically relevant obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCI-R score ≥ 21).
- Excluding individuals with prior mental illness history, 10.3% (N=2024) still presented with relevant OC symptoms, suggesting potential new incidence.
- Being male, working age, high stress environments, loneliness, and substance use were associated with increased OC symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a significant incidence of new obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the general population post-pandemic.
- Identifying at-risk individuals (male, working age, high stress, loneliness, substance users) is crucial for prevention during traumatic events.
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