Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The aim of this study was to evaluate the lifetime prevalence and clinical characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)/ obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in Afrikaner schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder patients. The researchers conducted a genetic study of schizophrenia among the Afrikaner founder population. In this cohort of 400 subjects from the original genetic study, they identified 53 subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and co-morbid OCD/OCS (study group). They were matched for gender and age of onset of illness with 59 subjects who do not have OCD/OCS (control group). The diagnostic instrument used in this cohort is the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) version 2, which has been translated into Afrikaans. In addition to the DIGS, information for the relevant clinical characteristics reported in this study was also drawn from a detailed narrative chronological summary report and clinical files. A checklist was completed. The researchers found that the prevalence of co-morbid OCD/OCS among 400 subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was 13.2%, of which 40 were male and 13 female patients. The prevalence of OCD was 10.7% and OCS was 2.5%. Contamination obsessions were the most common type of obsession reported, followed by religious obsessions. The most prevalent compulsions were repetitive rituals followed by checking behaviour. Onset of psychotic symptoms was found to be insidious in 86.8% of the study group compared to 24.6% of the control group. Second-generation antipsychotic use was found to be statistically more prevalent in the study group (77.4%), compared to the control group (45.8%). In addition, 73% of the study group experienced depressive symptoms compared to 50.8% of the control group. Both groups were found to have a similar incidence of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Substance abuse among the control group was significantly higher (35.9%) compared to the study group (19.2%). Cannabis was most commonly abused in both groups, followed by alcohol. The researchers also found that the prevalence rate of 13.2% of co-morbid OCD/OCS in Afrikaner schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients differs from findings in other ethnic groups, suggesting the possible role of genetic and cultural factors in the prevalence of co-morbid OCD/OCS. Second-generation antipsychotic use among schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients with co-morbid OCD/OCS was found to be significantly higher than in those without co-morbid OCD/OCS. Clinical characteristics of Afrikaner schizophrenics and schizoaffective disorder patients with and without co-morbid OCD/OCS are the same. Both groups were associated with significant psychopathology and a poor prognosis
Contact person: Prof JL Roos.
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