Presence of obsessive compulsive symptoms in first-episode schizophrenia or related disorders is associated with subjective well-being and quality of life

Abstract

Aim: The study aims to evaluate whether the presence of obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) in first-episode schizophrenia patients is associated with subjective well-being or quality of life. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study of consecutively diagnosed patients with a first episode of schizophrenia or related disorder. Results: There were 23 out of 198 (12%) consecutively assessed patients that reported co-morbid OCS. Co-morbid OCS were associated with a lower mean total score on a subjective well-being scale (P≤0.001), especially on the social integration subscale (P=0.002) and emotional regulation subscale (P=0.008), and lower scores on subjective aspects of quality of life (P=0.043), especially concerning mental health (P=0.001) and physical health (P=0.002). Conclusion: These results support the clinical relevance of OCS co-morbidity in schizophrenia or related disorders and the need for research into specific interventions. © 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.