The Relationships Between Obsessive–Compulsive Symptom Dimensions and Cognitions in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Several studies have linked obsessive–compulsive symptoms to specific obsessive–compulsive cognitions, however methodologies have varied, and no study has determined obsessive–compulsive symptoms using the most widely used clinician rating scale, the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Considering that almost all studies that used factor analysis to ascertain OCD symptom dimensions were based on the Y-BOCS and that self-report instruments assessing obsessive–compulsive symptoms correlate poorly with the Y-BOCS, there is a need to use the Y-BOCS to examine the relationship between obsessive–compulsive cognitions and obsessive–compulsive symptom dimensions. This study examined the relationship between five Y-BOCS-derived obsessive–compulsive symptom dimensions and the three obsessive–compulsive cognitive domains identified by the obsessive-beliefs questionnaire (OBQ). The symmetry/ordering symptom dimension was associated with increased perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty, the unacceptable/taboo thoughts symptom dimension was associated with increased importance/control of thoughts and the doubt/checking symptom dimension was associated with increased responsibility/threat estimation. There was no statistical evidence of an association between any OBQ belief sub-scale and the hoarding symptom dimension nor the contamination/cleaning symptom dimension. The findings encourage symptom-based approaches to cognitive-behavioural therapy for some OCD symptoms and call for further research on cognitions associated with contamination/cleaning symptoms and hoarding.     

Prospective Relationship Between Obsessive–Compulsive and Depressive Symptoms During Multimodal Treatment in Pediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

The present study examined the prospective relationship between obsessive–compulsive and depressive symptoms during a multimodal treatment study involving youth with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants included fifty-six youth, aged 7–17 years (M = 12.16 years) who were enrolled in a two-site randomized controlled pharmacological and cognitive behavioral therapy treatment trial. Obsessive–compulsive severity was measured using the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, and depressive symptoms were rated using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Multi-level modeling analyses indicated that, on average over the course of treatment, variable and less severe obsessive–compulsive symptoms significantly predicted a decrease in depressive symptoms. Additionally, week-to-week fluctuations in OCD severity did not significantly predict weekly changes in depressive symptom severity. Level of baseline depressive symptom severity did not moderate these relationships. Findings suggest that when treating youth with OCD with co-occurring depression, therapists should begin by treating obsessive–compulsive symptoms, as when these are targeted effectively, depressive symptoms diminish as well.     

The Characterization of Beliefs in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Beliefs are associated with most obsessions and compulsions in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The characteristics of these beliefs can vary considerably, which has led to some of them being regarded as overvalued ideas or delusions and has contributed to confusion regarding the conceptualization and classification of OCD. This article proposes that beliefs arising in the context of OCD be assessed along the following, well-defined characteristics: conviction, fixity, fluctuation, resistance (to beliefs), insight pertaining to an awareness of the inaccuracy of one’s belief, and insight referring to the ability to attribute the belief to an illness. This approach to the assessment of OCD-related beliefs may allow a clearer distinction between non-delusional beliefs, overvalued ideas, and delusions. Although the characteristics of non-delusional beliefs may vary, especially on the dimension of awareness of the inaccuracy of belief, these beliefs can generally be distinguished from overvalued ideas and delusions in terms of lower levels of conviction and fixity and greater fluctuation, resistance and ability to attribute the belief to OCD. The development of an assessment tool using these well-defined characteristics will test the proposed model, which may lead to a more objective evaluation of OCD-related beliefs. This is likely to have implications for diagnostic conceptualization and subtyping of OCD.     

ASD Traits Among Youth with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

Research has shown high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders among samples of youth with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) (Farrell et al., Psychiatry Res 199(2):115–123, 2012; Lewin et al., Psychiatry Res 178(2):317–322, 2010; POTS Team, J Am Med Assoc 292(16):1969–1976, 2004). Autism and autistic traits co-occur at high rates within clinical samples of youth with OCD (Ivarsson and Melin in J Anxiety Disord 22(6):969–978, 2008; Stewart et al. in Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 1–9, 2016). This study extends the literature by examining the relationship between ASD traits, family accommodation, and functional impairment in a sample of youth with OCD across a wide age range (n?=?80; aged 7–17 years). Results indicated that autistic traits, as measured by the social responsiveness scale (SRS), were elevated in 32.5% of youth (based on a T-score of 66T and above) relative to typically developing youth, as well as youth with non-autism-related psychiatric disorders (Constantino and Gruber in Social responsiveness scale, Western Psychogical Services, Torrance, 2012). Furthermore, 27.5% of youth scored within a moderate range (66T–75T) and 5% of youth scored within a severe range (76T or higher) on the SRS, typical of children with ASD (Constantino and Gruber in Social responsiveness scale, Western Psychogical Services, Torrance, 2012). Additionally, ASD traits were associated with greater functional impairment above OCD severity. Furthermore, family accommodation mediated the relationship between ASD traits and functional impairment. Implications of these findings are discussed in the context of clinical assessment and direction for further research.     

Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory: Child Version in Children and Adolescents with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

The psychometric properties of the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory–Child Version (OCI-CV) were examined in ninety-six youth with a primary/co-primary diagnosis of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). A confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable model of fit with factors consisting of doubting/checking, obsessing, hoarding, washing, ordering, and neutralizing. The internal consistency of the OCI-CV total score was good, while internal consistency for subscale scores ranged from poor to good. The OCI-CV was modestly correlated with obsessive–compulsive symptom severity on the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) Severity Scale, as well as with clinician-reported OCD severity. All OCI-CV subscales significantly correlated with the corresponding CY-BOCS Symptom Checklist dimension. The OCI-CV significantly correlated with child-reported depressive symptoms and OCD-related functional impairment, but was not significantly correlated with parent-reported irritability or clinician-reported overall functioning. Taken together, these data suggest the psychometric properties of the OCI-CV are adequate for assessing obsessive–compulsive symptom presence among youth with OCD.     

Optimizing Deep Brain Stimulation Parameters in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

ObjectivesDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is an innovative and effective treatment for patients with therapy-refractory obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). DBS offers unique opportunities for personalized care, but no guidelines on how to choose effective and safe stimulation parameters in patients with OCD are available. Our group gained relevant practical knowledge on DBS optimization by treating more than 80 OCD patients since 2005, the world’s largest cohort. The article’s objective is to share this experience.Materials and MethodsWe provide guiding principles for optimizing DBS stimulation parameters in OCD and discuss the neurobiological and clinical basis.ResultsAdjustments in stimulation parameters are performed in a fixed order. First, electrode contact activation is determined by the position of the electrodes on postoperative imaging. Second, voltage and pulse width are increased stepwise, enlarging both the chance of symptom reduction and of inducing side effects. Clinical evaluation of adjustments in stimulation parameters needs to take into account: 1) the particular temporal sequence in which the various OCD symptoms and DBS side-effects change; 2) the lack of robust response predictors; 3) the limited sensitivity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale to assess DBS-induced changes in OCD symptoms; and 4) a patient’s fitness for additional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).ConclusionsDecision-making in stimulation parameter optimization needs to be sensitive to the particular time-courses on which various symptoms and side effects change.     

Psychometric Properties of the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms

The psychometric properties of the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) were investigated in 46 treatment-seeking youth, 7–15 years of age, who were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and exhibited obsessive–compulsive symptoms. The CY-BOCS Total score exhibited good internal consistency, with differing internal consistencies observed on the Obsession Severity scale (α = 0.86) and Compulsion Severity scale (α = 0.59). Good to excellent inter-rater reliability was observed for the CY-BOCS Total score and both Severity scales. Convergent and divergent validity of the CY-BOCS Total score and both Severity scales were satisfactory. Insight into obsessive–compulsive symptoms was moderately associated with the CY-BOCS Total score. The CY-BOCS demonstrated treatment sensitivity, demonstrating significant changes in obsessive–compulsive symptoms within a subsample of youth receiving cognitive-behavioral treatment. Overall, the CY-BOCS demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and utility in assessing obsessive–compulsive symptoms in youth with ASD and clinically significant obsessive–compulsive symptoms.     

Clinical Correlates of Comorbid Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and Depression in Youth

A burgeoning body of literature addresses the comorbidity of depression and OCD in adults. The purpose of this study was to extend this area of research to children and adolescents by examining the clinical correlates associated with co-occurring depressive disorders in a clinical sample of youth with OCD. Participants included children and adolescents seeking treatment at a university-based research clinic. One group was comprised of 28 children (ages 10–17 years) who met diagnostic criteria for OCD but had no comorbid depressive disorders, whereas the second group consisted of 28 children matched for age and gender who met diagnostic criteria for OCD and co-occurring depressive disorder. The two groups were compared on measures of broad-band psychopathology, internalizing problems, social difficulties, and family characteristics. As anticipated, findings revealed comorbid depression and OCD was associated with more severe internalizing problems, more extensive obsessive–compulsive symptomatology, and more social problems. Youth with comorbid depression and OCD also had higher family conflict and lower family organization compared to those with OCD and no depression. These results may have implications for the treatment of youth with comorbid OCD and depression.     

Comorbid Personality Disorders in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and Its Symptom Dimensions

The current paper was aimed at: (1) investigating the comorbidity between obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality disorders (PDs) using an OCD sample and clinician-administered structured interviews; (2) exploring the associations of different cluster comorbid PDs with the specific symptom dimensions of OCD; (3) analyzing the variables which could play a significant role in the probability of having at least one comorbid PD, controlling for confounding variables. The SCID-II and Y-BOCS, together with a series of self-report measures of OCD, depression and anxiety symptoms were administered to a clinical sample of 159 patients with a primary diagnosis of OCD. 20.8 % of the participants suffered from at least one comorbid PD; the most common was obsessive–compulsive PD (9.4 %), followed by narcissistic PD (6.3 %). In OCD patients with comorbid cluster C PDs, the percentage of responsibility for harm, injury, or bad luck symptoms was significantly greater than other OCD symptom dimensions (p < .005). Logistic regression found some evidence supporting the association between severity of OCD symptoms and comorbid PDs. PDs are prevalent among Italian people with OCD and should be routinely assessed, as comorbidity may affect help-seeking behaviour and response to treatment.     

Children’s Florida Obsessive Compulsive Inventory: Psychometric Properties and Feasibility of a Self-Report Measure of Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in Youth

This report describes the development and psychometric properties of the Children’s Florida Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (C-FOCI). Designed specifically as a brief measure for assessing obsessive–compulsive symptoms, the C-FOCI was created for use in both clinical and community settings. Study 1 included 82 children and adolescents diagnosed with primary Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder, and their parents. The Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) was administered to assess symptom severity. Thereafter, parents completed the Child Obsessive–Compulsive Impact Scale—Parent Version and Child Behavior Checklist, and youth completed the C-FOCI, Child Obsessive–Compulsive Impact Scale—Child Version, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and Children’s Depression Inventory—Short Form. A subgroup of 21 individuals was retested with the C-FOCI after completing 14 sessions of intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy. Construct validity of the C-FOCI was supported vis-à-vis evidence of treatment sensitivity, and moderate relations with clinician-rated symptom severity, the CY-BOCS Symptom Checklist, child- and parent-rated functional impairment, child-rated anxiety, and parent-rated internalizing symptoms. Discriminant validity was evidenced by weak relationships with parent-reports of externalizing symptoms. For Study 2, 191 non-clinical adolescents completed the C-FOCI to assess the feasibility of internet administration. Overall, internal consistency was acceptable for the C-FOCI Symptom Checklist and Severity Scale, and respondents were able to complete the measure with little difficulty. Taken together, the findings of Studies 1 and 2 provide initial support for the reliability and validity of the C-FOCI for the assessment of pediatric obsessive–compulsive symptoms.

Psychometric analysis of the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Second Edition Symptom Checklist

The Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was recently revised to address several clinical and conceptual issues. The resultant measure, named the Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale—Second Edition, consists of two primary scales: the Severity Scale and the Symptom Checklist. Although the Severity Scale has been the subject of a comprehensive psychometric analysis, no data have been reported on the psychometric properties of the Y-BOCS-II Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-II-SC). Accordingly, in the present study, clinician ratings on the Y-BOCS-II-SC for 130 patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) were examined on a number of validity and reliability indices. Partially consistent with past factor analytic studies of the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist, the Y-BOCS-II-SC yielded four factors representing symmetry/ordering, contamination/washing, hoarding, and sexual/religious/aggression dimensions; checking rituals cross-loaded with other dimensions. Generally, the Y-BOCS-II-SC dimensions were internally consistent and rated stably across raters and over a short interval. The Y-BOCS-II-SC symptom dimensions showed good convergence with self-reported obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and were at best moderately associated with divergent measures (e.g., OCD symptom severity, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of anxiety). Overall, the Y-BOCS-II-SC shows good psychometric properties; we highlight several domains in which the Y-BOCS-II-SC may have clinical and research utility, as well as several areas for future study.     

A Prospective Study of Paediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Symptomatology in a Spanish Community Sample

The obsessive–compulsive manifestations course was assessed with the Leyton obsessional inventory-child version survey (LOI-CV) in a 3-year prospective study, using a non-clinical sample. From an initial sample of 1,514 school-age children who underwent symptoms screening for obsessive–compulsive, anxiety and depression, 562 subjects (risk group/without risk group) were re-assessed in the 2nd phase and 242 subjects were monitored after 3 years. LOI-CV scores significantly decreased over time independently of age and gender. The prevalence, persistence and incidence for two levels of severity of obsessive–compulsive manifestations ranged between 4.8–30.4 %, 9.3–28.4 % and 1.1–14.4 %, respectively. 34.6–64.5 % of obsessive–compulsive symptomatology was predicted by anxiety, depressive and obsessive–compulsive symptoms. For the obsessiveness (less severe form of obsessive–compulsive manifestations), the depressive symptoms were not predictors. Gender and socioeconomic status were not related with obsessive–compulsive manifestations. These data support a substantial continuity of the obsessive–compulsive manifestations and the existence of different levels of severity within the obsessive–compulsive spectrum.     

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Trichotillomania: Comparisons with Obsessive–Compulsive and Tic Disorders

This study compared youth ages 5–17 years with a primary diagnosis of trichotillomania (TTM, n = 30) to those with primary OCD (n = 30) and tic disorder (n = 29) on demographic characteristics, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that youth with primary TTM score more comparably to youth with tics than those with OCD on internalizing and externalizing symptom measures. Compared to the OCD group, youth in the TTM group reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. Parents of youth in the TTM group also reported fewer internalizing, externalizing, attention, and thought problems than those in the OCD group. Youth with TTM did not significantly differ from those with primary Tic disorders on any measure. Findings suggest that pediatric TTM may be more similar to pediatric tic disorders than pediatric OCD on anxiety, depression, and global internalizing and externalizing problems.     

Viewpoint: Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour in Autism - Towards an Autistic-Obsessive Compulsive Syndrome?

A portion of autistic patients exhibit compulsive-like behaviours. In addition it has been suggested that serotonin plays a major role in both obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and autistic disorder. Other neurohumors such as endogenous opioids and oxytocin have also been implicated in the two disorders. There is also some pharmacological overlap between the two disorders, as well as some similar neuroimaging studies. These similarities and overlaps have led us to propose a putative OCD-autistic disorder, which should be studied in greater detail.     

Reduced Prefrontal Hemodynamic Response in Pediatric Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder as Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Recent developments in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non-invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. Functional neuroimaging studies of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have suggested that the frontal cortex and subcortical structures may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Twelve treatment-naïve children with OCD and 12 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects participated in the present study after giving consent. The relative concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) were measured with prefrontal probes every 0.1 s during the Stroop color-word task, using 24-channel NIRS machines. During the Stroop color-word task, the oxy-Hb changes in the OCD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group in the prefrontal cortex, especially in the frontopolar cortex. The present study suggests that children with OCD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response as measured by NIRS.     

Successful Treatment Response with Aripiprazole Augmentation of SSRIs in Refractory Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder in Childhood

The aim of this study is to evaluate the aripiprazole augmentation of selective seratonine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children and adolescents with treatment-resistant OCD. Forty-eight children and adolescents (14 girls, 34 boys), who are non-responders to treatment with at least two types of SSRIs and CBT, were administered a 12-week of augmentation. Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Improvement (CGI-S and CGI-I) sub-scales were used for evaluation of the treatment outcomes. The results showed that total CY-BOCS scores were decreased from 33.3?±?7.5 to 11.7?±?9.3 (p?<?0.001), CGI-S scores decreased from 6.3?±?0.9 to 2.7?±?1.6 (p?<?0.001), and CGI-I scores improved from 4.3?±?0.6 to 2.2?±?1.1 (p?<?0.001). Sensitivity analyses in 29 patients without SSRI dose escalation along with aripiprazole augmentation have also revealed that improvement effect was still significant, and CY-BOCS scores were improved from 34.2?±?7.9 to 13?±?10.3, CGI-S improved from 6.4?±?1.0 to 3.0?±?1.7, and CGI-I improved from 4.4?±?1.0 to 2.3?±?1.1 (p?<?0.001 for all). Analyses revealed that a significant clinical improvement has been observed with aripiprazole augmentation. Aripiprazole augmentation of SSRIs is a promising strategy in the management of treatment-refractory OCD children and adolescents.