Disability in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and its Impact on Caregiver’s Burden and Quality of Life

Abstract

Abstract Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic illness that can cause marked anguish and disability. OCD negatively affects the quality of life (QoL) and brings disability in marital, occupational, emotional, and social functioning. Family members of OCD patients unknowingly start adjusting their personal and family routine to lessen the patient’s anxiety or irritability due to compulsive behaviors. Their involvement with compulsive behaviors of OCD patients compromise their social activities that lead to feelings of social isolation and marked distress. Studies carried out on family members have also reported poor QoL in the domains of physical well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational, hospital-based study. Fifty adult patients with OCD were recruited in the study along with their caregivers, who were visiting the Department of Psychiatry, ABVIMS, Dr. R. M. L. Hospital, New Delhi, India. Patients diagnosed with OCD as per diagnostic and statistical manual 5 criteria were assessed on Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) symptom Checklist, Y-BOCS to know about the severity and Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale was used to assess disability. The primary caregivers, who were continuously staying with patient for last 2 years, were assessed on Zarit Burden Interview to assess caregiver’s burden and WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess the QoL. Results: There was a negative correlation between total YBOCS score, global disability score of patients, burden of caregivers with all domains of QoL of caregivers of patients, and statistically significant values were seen in psychological health and social domains. Caregiver burden was positively correlated with disability. Both QoL and severity of illness have more significant negative impact on caregiver QoL and burden. Conclusion: Severity of illness and disability in patients with OCD cause significant negative impact on QoL and brings about huge burden on caregivers.