Late-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: the role of stressful life events

The onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for the first time in old age is uncommon and has been mostly related to cerebral abnormalities. We report a case of late-onset OCD in a 77-year-old woman following stressful life events but with a normal cerebral structure. The contribution of life events and vulnerability factors on the genesis and the presentation of her illness are discussed in relation to the literature on OCD.