TO STUDY OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE SPECTRUM DISORDER AMONG THE SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, MUZAFFARNAGAR

Abstract

Background: Obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are increasingly recognized as important comorbidities in schizophrenia and may adversely influence illness severity, treatment response, and functional outcome.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of OCS and OCD among patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate their association with illness duration, schizophrenia severity, and the correlation between obsessive–compulsive symptom severity and psychotic psychopathology.

Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 90 patients with schizophrenia attending the Psychiatry Outpatient and Inpatient Departments of Muzaffarnagar Medical College and Hospital. Socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded using a structured proforma. Schizophrenia severity was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), while obsessive–compulsive symptom severity was evaluated using the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: OCS were present in 43.3% of patients, while 13.3% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for comorbid OCD. Patients with OCS had an earlier age at onset (22.6 ± 4.8 vs. 25.3 ± 5.4 years; p=0.015), longer duration of illness (10.9 ± 6.1 vs. 8.1 ± 5.2 years; p=0.024), and significantly higher PANSS total scores (115.16 ± 12.26 vs. 93.57 ± 9.48; p<0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between Y-BOCS and PANSS total scores (r=0.818, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Obsessive–compulsive symptoms are common among patients with schizophrenia and are associated with greater illness severity and longer disease duration. Routine screening for OCS may facilitate early identification and improve individualized management strategies.

Keywords: Schizophrenia; Obsessive–compulsive symptoms; Obsessive–compulsive disorder; PANSS; Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Y-BOCS; Psychopathology.