Prevalence of obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder in patients seeking dermatological consultation

Abstract

Background Previous studies have reported the relation between some dermatological presentations and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of OCD in patients with dermatological disorders attending Mansoura University Hospital, as well as describe the different dermatological presentation of the OCD and possible association between dermatological lesions and the severity OCD. Patients and methods The study was conducted on 500 patients at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Mansoura University. The patients were assessed by Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder V OCD criteria and the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Arabic version for assessment the severity. Results Among 500 patients, 55 (10.6%) were diagnosed as having OCD spectrum, comprising two (3.8%) with skin excoriations, 14 (26.4%) with trichotillomania, two (3.8%) with body dysmorphic disorder, 0 (0.0) with hoarding disorder, and 37 (69.9) with OCD. Conclusion There was an increased prevalence of OCD spectrum disorders among patients with dermatological disorders. Detection and diagnosis of comorbid psychiatric problems with skin disease is critical to the optimal management of psychodermatological disorders.