Bipolar disorder among patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder at Zagazig University Hospitals

Abstract

Background Comorbidity of bipolar disorder (BD) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) patients is a relevant phenomenon and has significant effect on expression of symptom, treatment, and complications of the disorder. Objective The aim of this study was to find the frequency of BP in patients with OCD, determine the effect of BP occurrence on the clinical characteristics of OCD, and compare between OCD patients with and those without BP. Patients and methods Sixty individuals with OCD diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, 5th ed., were subjected to screening using the Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms Scale, the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Mood Disorder Questionnaire. Results Fifteen percent of the OCD patients included in the study had additional lifetime diagnosis of BD. There was a statistically significant relation between comorbidity and episodic course of OCD, previous psychiatric hospitalization, and suicidal attempts. Patients with comorbid BD comprised mainly male patients and urban residents with a high incidence of religious obsessions and compulsions, general compulsions (e.g. checking, ordering, and arranging), and repetition, but with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion A better understanding of the clinical profile of individuals with a primary diagnosis of OCD with and those without BD helps in guiding the treatment of individuals.