Eraly trauma experience is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Objective To compare the difference of early trauma experience between early-onset and late-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD), and the kinds of early trauma in the cause of OCD. Methods Three hundred and twenty-six patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and 480 healthy controls were enrolled. Early Trauma Inventory-Short Form (ETI-SF)was applied to assess the early trauma experience, compare the difference of early trauma experience between early-onset (n=138)and late-onset (n=188)OCD, and the kinds of early trauma in the cause of OCD. Results There were significant differences in the early trauma experience between obsessive-compulsive disorder group and control group((3.90±3.61) vs (1.88±2.61), P<0.01). Scores of physical((1.12±1.38) vs (0.71±1.23), P=0.001), emotional((1.58±1.71) vs (0.42±1.01), P<0.01), and sexual abuse((0.27±0.59) vs (0.09±0.36), P=0.001), and a general traumatic experience((0.94±1.17) vs (0.66±1.09), P<0.01) were significant difference between patients and controls. Except sexual abuse((0.30±0.66) vs (0.24±0.67), P=0.42), there were significant differences in the early trauma between early-onset and late-onset OCD((5.12±3.58) vs (3.01±3.38), P<0.01), especially emotional abuse((2.18±1.76) vs (1.12±1.53), P<0.01).247(75.8%) OCD patients and 79(57.9%) healthy controls experienced early trauma(χ2=21.48, P<0.01). Experiencing one kind of early trauma, the prevalence of OCD was 39.1%, two kind was 61.0%, three kind of early trauma was 65.8%, and experiencing four or more kind of early trauma, the prevalence of OCD was up to 84.4%. Conclusion OCD patients have much more early trauma, especially early-onset OCD.Experiencing more kind of early trauma, and the prevalence of OCD higher may associated with the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is important to consider the role of childhood trauma in the prevention and treatment of OCD. Key words: Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Early trauma; Early trauma inventory self report-short form(ETISR-SF)