Obsessive-compulsive disorder in UK clozapine-treated schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: a cause for clinical concern

J Psychopharmacol. 2009 Jan;23(1):6-13. doi: 10.1177/0269881108089582. Epub 2008 May 30.

Abstract

The association between schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is complex. This study systematically examined a UK cohort of clozapine-treated individuals with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Fourteen of 59 cases (24%) scored positively on item H of the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for OCD. The mean Yale- Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score in MINI-positive cases was 17.6 (SD+/-6.3). Sixty-four percent scored 16 or more on the Y-BOCS, representing clinically meaningful illness severity. Seven (50%) patients with OCD had previously received the diagnosis by their treating clinicians and were already receiving with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treatment. OCD cases scored significantly worse than their non-OCD counterparts on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (P=0.01) and the Simpson Angus Scale (SAS; P=0.01). There was also a non-significant trend toward higher ratings for OCD cases on the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale (P=0.06). Comparing the OCD cases taking SSRI (n=7) with those not on SSRI (n=7), significant differences emerged on the SAS (P=0.03). Our results suggest that OCD is common among patients receiving clozapine for schizophrenic disorders and that the comorbidity is associated with greater motoric impairment. The role of medication in this condition remains unclear.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscarinic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / complications
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / epidemiology
  • Schizophrenia / complications
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Muscarinic Antagonists
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Clozapine
  • Diazepam