Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Comorbidity in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Bakım B., ERTEKİN H., ERTEKİN Y. H., Karamustafalıoğlu O.

12th INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS, Barcelona, Spain, 7 - 09 November 2012, vol.16, pp.25

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume: 16
  • City: Barcelona
  • Country: Spain
  • Page Numbers: pp.25
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background

   Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsesive compulsive disorder (OCD) are neurodevololopmantel disorders (1). Studies suggest that similar parts of brain are affected in OCD and ADHD.  There are studies demonstrating  frequent coexistence of OCD starting in early adolescence with ADHD, and reported rate of comorbidity of these disorders is around 10-50 %.

   İn a study evaluating the genetic similarities of ADHD and OCD, an increased OCD and ADHD comorbidity was discovered in first degree relatives of patients with OCD and ADHD coexistence. However there are no studies evaluating adult ADHD comorbidiy in patients with OCD. We aim to analyze the presence of adult ADHD comorbidity with OCD and to compare OCD patients with and without adult ADHD and healty controls.

Method

   This study is a prospective cross sectional study performed at Sisli Etfal Education and Research hospital between January 2011 and June 2011.

   Sixty patients with OCD, and sixty healty controls were included in the study. Structural Clinical İnterview for DSM-IV (Turkish version), Wender Utah Rating Scale, Turgay's Adult ADD/ADHD DSM-IV based Diagnostic and Rating Scale and Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were administered to participants. In order to confirm the full diagnosis of adult ADHD DSM-IV criteria were used.

Results

    A significantly high rate of adult ADHD was identified in OCD group, compared to control group (20% vs. 1,7%, p=0,002).

   OCD was found to be present in 66,7% of OCD patients with ADHD before the age of 18, while the same percentage was 18,8% for OCD patients without ADHD (p=0,002).

   Checking compulsion was found highest in OCD patients with adult ADHD(50%).

Conclusion

   An increased ADHD comorbidiy was identified in patients with OCD compared to control group.

   The presence of ADHD might be important for treatment and prognosis in patients with OCD, especially with checking compulsion and starting early in life.

Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, comorbidity, obsessive-compulsive disorder