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Quality of life and subthreshold obsessive-compulsive disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Arianna Goracci*
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
Mirko Martinucci
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
Anastassia Kaperoni
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
Andrea Fagiolini
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Chiara Sbaragli
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
Eleonora Corsi
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
Paolo Castrogiovanni
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
*
Dr Arianna Goracci, Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Division, University of Siena School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. Tel: +39-0577-586275; Fax: +39-0577-233451; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

This study investigates the relationship between subthreshold obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and quality of life (QoL) in a sample from the Italian general population.

Methods:

A sample of 202 psychiatrically healthy (defined as absence of current axis I and axis II disorders) subjects was recruited by word of mouth from the residential population in the Siena, Salerno and Milano municipalities (Italy). All study subjects completed the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) and the Questionnaire for Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum (OBS-SR), which explore a wide array of threshold and subthreshold OCD symptoms, behaviours and traits. A diagnostic assessment was conducted to exclude the presence of DSM-IV axis I and axis II disorders using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders, respectively.

Results:

A statistically significant correlation was found between the OBS-SR total score and the Q-LES-Q domains of physical health, subjective feelings, work, school, social relationships and general activities. There was also a statistically significant correlation between several Q-LES-Q and OBS-SR domains.

Conclusions:

The presence of subthreshold OCD is correlated with poorer QoL. More research is needed to evaluate if specific therapeutic interventions targeting subthreshold obsessive-compulsive symptoms can lead to a significant improvement in the QoL of the affected individuals.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

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