TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of psychotropic agents for the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder
AU - Brakoulias, Vlasios
AU - Starcevic, Vladan
AU - Berle, David
AU - Milicevic, Denise
AU - Moses, Karen
AU - Hannan, Anthony
AU - Sammut, Peter
AU - Martin, Andrew
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Objective: To describe the use of psychotropic agents in a sample of subjects with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the differences associated with different OCD symptoms. Method: A total of 154 subjects participated in a study assessing OCD symptom subtypes, called the Nepean OCD Study. In addition to a comprehensive evaluation of the subjects’ OCD symptoms using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Vancouver Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the subjects’ medication history was recorded. The association between symptom severity, disability, OCD symptom subtypes and the use of psychotropic agents was examined. Results: Psychotropic medication was taken by 93 (60.4%) participants. In the majority of cases (n=55, 59.1%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were taken, and of the SSRIs, the most commonly used agent was escitalopram (n=21, 22.6%). Psychotropic agents were more likely to be taken by subjects with higher Y-BOCS and SDS scores. Hoarding was associated with a lower likelihood of psychotropic use, whereas unacceptable/taboo thoughts were associated with an increased likelihood of psychotropic and antipsychotic use. Conclusion: Patients with OCD are more likely to be taking psychotropic agents if they have a more severe illness, greater disability and more prominent unacceptable/taboo thoughts.
AB - Objective: To describe the use of psychotropic agents in a sample of subjects with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the differences associated with different OCD symptoms. Method: A total of 154 subjects participated in a study assessing OCD symptom subtypes, called the Nepean OCD Study. In addition to a comprehensive evaluation of the subjects’ OCD symptoms using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Vancouver Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), the subjects’ medication history was recorded. The association between symptom severity, disability, OCD symptom subtypes and the use of psychotropic agents was examined. Results: Psychotropic medication was taken by 93 (60.4%) participants. In the majority of cases (n=55, 59.1%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were taken, and of the SSRIs, the most commonly used agent was escitalopram (n=21, 22.6%). Psychotropic agents were more likely to be taken by subjects with higher Y-BOCS and SDS scores. Hoarding was associated with a lower likelihood of psychotropic use, whereas unacceptable/taboo thoughts were associated with an increased likelihood of psychotropic and antipsychotic use. Conclusion: Patients with OCD are more likely to be taking psychotropic agents if they have a more severe illness, greater disability and more prominent unacceptable/taboo thoughts.
KW - medication
KW - obsessive-compulsive disorder
KW - psychotropic agents
UR - http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:29199
U2 - 10.1177/1039856212470502
DO - 10.1177/1039856212470502
M3 - Article
SN - 1039-8562
VL - 21
SP - 117
EP - 121
JO - Australasian Psychiatry
JF - Australasian Psychiatry
IS - 2
ER -