[Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorders in a large French patient population in psychiatric consultation]

Recent epidemiologic studies were conducted in general population, showing high rate prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (2-3%). Although more investigation of OCD prevalence in clinical population is still warranted. The prevalence of DSM III-R diagnosis of OCD and obsessive-compulsive syndromes (OCS) is reported in 4 364, 16-70 year old new consecutive patients, consulting in out-patient psychiatry. Point prevalence rates of 9.2% were recorded for OCD and 17% for OCS. Significantly different from non obsessional patients, it was observed in OCD and OCS patients more male representation (41% vs 37%, p = 0.007), a younger current age (36 y vs 39 y, p < 10(-4)) and age of disorder onset, higher rate of celibat (31.5% vs 28.6%) and lesser of separated or widowed (9.4% vs 16.2%, p = 0.003), more anxiety and depression comorbidity (50% vs 39%, p < 10(-4), a higher suicidal risk (17% vs 14%, p = 0.04--especially in OCS patients: 18.3%), more chronicity (mean current episode duration: 14.8 months vs 11.2 m., p < 10(-4)) and higher rate of global functioning impairment (score at GAF: 53.9 vs 57.9, p < 10(-4)). The results of the french survey confirmed the high prevalence of OCD and OCS in patients seeking psychiatric treatment. OCS (or subclinical OCD) seem to form a valid group (high rates of comorbidity and suicidal attempts) which need to be recognized and to receive adequate treatment.