Axis I-Axis II comorbidity of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder: gender-related differences

Background

Various studies validate that Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is more common in men than in women. Most research concerning relations between criteria-defined OCPD and other disorders present significant comorbidity among them; witch often inducts important diagnostic and treatment implications.

Materials and methods

82 patients, 22 males and 60 females, who suffered from OCPD and have been treated at the Community Mental Health Centre within the past three years, were investigated. According to DSM-IV-TR criteria, patterns of Axis I and Axis II psychopathology were examined. Gender, age, education and family condition were also studied.

Results

The proportion between men and women was almost 1:3. It is not surprising that patients were likely to have multiple diagnoses, 19 (86.4%) males and all females comorbid one or more Axis I disorders, also 13 (59.1%) males and 42 (70%) females comorbid one or more Axis II disorders. In particular 9 (40.9%) males and 35(58.3%) females had mood disorders, with tendency for depression mostly for females (48.3 vs 27.3%) and tendency for dysthymic disorder mostly for males (13,6 vs 8.3%). High rates of comorbidity, 10 (45.5%) males and 32 (53.3%) females, have been also reported for anxiety disorders, with tendency for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia mostly for females (35 vs 22.7%) and tendency for generalized anxiety disorder mostly for males (13,6 vs 6,7%). Somatoform and eating disorders frequently detected in females, in reverse impulse control disorders frequently detected in males. The findings support significant Cluster C, 10 (45.5%) males and 41 (68.3%) females, and Cluster B, 8 (36.4%) males and 25 (41.7%) females, personality disorders comorbidity. Dependent, histrionic, avoidant and borderline were mostly prevalent in females and respectively narcissistic in males. In addition, Cluster A personality disorders rarely co-occurred in both gender.

Conclusions

The results from this study, suggest that the prevalence of DSM-IV-TR Axis I and Axis II disorders in our sample of OCPD patients and their gender-related differences, represent the Greek population who seek psychiatric support at the Community Mental Health Centre.