STUDY ON OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS, PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL RELATIONSHIP AT A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTRE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) can co-occur with schizophrenia and may aggravate symptom severity, disability, and quality of life. This study evaluated OCS prevalence and clinical relationships among adults with ICD-10 schizophrenia attending a tertiary-care psychiatry service.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the proportion of schizophrenia patients with OCS, describe OCS severity patterns, and assess the association of OCS with PANSS scores, WHOQOL-BREF domains, and WHODAS disability.

METHODS: A one-year cross-sectional study in the Psychiatry Department, Rajshree Medical Research Institute, Bareilly enrolled 73 clinically stable consenting adults with ICD-10 schizophrenia. OCS was assessed with Y-BOCS; psychosis severity with PANSS; quality of life with WHOQOL-BREF; disability with WHODAS. SPSS v23; p<0.05.

RESULTS: OCS was present in 27/73 (37.0%). Severity was mild 22.2%, moderate 40.7%, severe 29.6%, extreme 7.4%, with rising PANSS total across categories (78.0±10.2 to 92.0±8.4; p=0.041). OCS had higher PANSS total (p=0.041), poorer QoL (physical/psychological/environmental p<0.05), and higher disability (p=0.028).

CONCLUSION: OCS affected over one-third of patients and was associated with greater psychosis burden, poorer quality of life, and higher disability, supporting routine OCS screening and integrated treatment.