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Obsessive compulsive disorder and mood disorders: a family study
G Sciuto1, L Pasquale, L Bellodi
1Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, School of Medicine of Milan, Italy.
American Journal of Medical Genetics
|December 18, 1995
Summary
The onset sequence of major depression (MD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) influences familial disease patterns. Families of OCD patients with initial major depression show higher mood disorder rates, suggesting distinct genetic liabilities.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) frequently co-occurs with major depression (MD), with prevalence rates ranging from 35% to 75%.
- Investigating the nature of depressive symptomatology through familial aggregation analysis assumes earlier onset indicates greater genetic liability.
- Understanding the temporal relationship between OCD and MD is crucial for elucidating their distinct genetic underpinnings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess familial loading for OCD and mood disorders in relatives of OCD patients.
- To compare familial patterns based on the chronological onset of mood disorders relative to OCD.
- To determine if the temporal sequence of OCD and MD onset influences genetic transmission.
Main Methods:
- A total of 172 OCD patients were studied, categorized by the onset of mood disorders.
- Family history data were collected using the Family History-Research Diagnostic Criteria (FH-RDC).
- Direct interviews were conducted with at least two relatives per patient to gather comprehensive family history information.
Main Results:
- Familial concentration of OCD was observed across most patient groups, excluding those with co-occurring major depression and OCD (MD/OCD).
- The highest rate of relatives affected by mood disorders (28.8%) was found in families of OCD patients whose first onset was major depression.
- Morbidity risks for mood disorders were significantly lower in other patient groups, indicating differential familial aggregation based on onset chronology.
Conclusions:
- The chronological order of onset between OCD and MD appears to differentiate familial aggregation patterns.
- OCD patients experiencing major depression first exhibit a distinct familial loading for mood disorders, suggesting a potential affective subtype.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering the temporal sequence of symptom onset in understanding the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of OCD.