Long-Term Outcomes Are Poor in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Remission rates are low and associated with initial response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Historically, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been characterized by a chronic course and low remission rates. This partially manufacturer-supported study examined 10- to 20-year outcomes in patients treated after the introduction of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs).

The researchers recontacted 165 subjects with OCD who participated between 1986 and 1995 in SRI studies lasting at least 8 weeks. Eighty-three patients (51%) agreed to a follow-up assessment; participants and those who declined to participate were similar in original age, age at onset, illness duration, comorbidities, functional scores, and SRI response. Treatment since the initial SRI trials was naturalistic.

At follow-up, only 20% of participants were in remission, a…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Long-Term Outcomes Are Poor in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Topics

Reviewing Author