Structure and clinical correlates of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a large sample of children and adolescents: a factor analytic study across five nations

Exploring latent clusters in pediatric OCD based on symptoms, severity, age, gender, and comorbidity

Given diverse symptom expression and high rates of comorbid conditions, the present study explored underlying commonalities among OCD-affected children and adolescents to better conceptualize disorder presentation and associated features. Data from 830 OCD-affected participants presenting to OCD specialty centers was aggregated. Dependent mixture modeling was used to examine latent clusters based on their age- and gender adjusted symptom severity (as measured by the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale; CY-BOCS), symptom type (as measured by factor scores calculated from the CY-BOCS symptom checklist), and comorbid diagnoses (as assessed via diagnostic interviews). Fit statistics favored a four-cluster model with groups distinguished primarily by symptom expression and comorbidity type. Fit indices for 3-7 cluster models were only marginally different and characteristics of the clusters remained largely stable between solutions with small clusters of distinct presentations added in more complex models. Rather than identifying a single classification system, the findings support the utility of integrating dimensional, developmental, and transdiagnostic information in the conceptualization of OCD-affected children and adolescents. Identified clusters point to the centrality of contamination concerns to OCD, relationships between broader symptom expression and higher levels of comorbidity, and the potential for complex/neurodevelopmental presentations.

The dynamics of psychological attributes and symptomatic comorbidity of depression in children and adolescents

PURPOSE

This investigation aimed to explore attribute dynamics and symptomatic comorbidity of depression with internalizing, externalizing, and other personal-contextual problems in children and adolescents from a network analysis.

METHODS

We tested an attribute network of regularized partial correlations, standard and alternative centrality measures, and comorbidity bridge symptoms according to centrality bridge measures.

RESULTS

Regularized partial correlation network and a centrality measures graph shown the prominent position of social problems and anxiety-depression. Minimum spanning tree (MST) found a hierarchical dynamics between attributes where mixed anxiety-depression was identified as the core and the other attributes were hierarchically connected to it by being positioned in six branches that are differentiated according to their theoretical contents. The most central connections are established with the attributes of their own community or theoretical groups, and 37 bridge symptoms were identified in all networks.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant role of mixed anxiety depression as an activator and intermediary of psychopathologies was supported as a central attribute of internalizing problems. Aggressive behavior as part of the broad externalizing dimension was one of the constructs that most intensively activate the network, and social problems were also distinguished as a relevant factor not only in terms of connections and central attributes but also in terms of bridge symptoms and comorbidity. This framework extends to the study of symptomatic "comorbidity."

Family Accommodation in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Investigating Prevalence and Clinical Correlates in the NordLOTS Study

Family accommodation (FA) involves the actions taken by family members, particularly parents, to accommodate a child´s obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, reducing distress or impairment. This behavior may maintain compulsive and avoidant behavior, preventing corrective learning or habituation. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing FA in a large Scandinavian sample of children with OCD. We assessed 238 children using standardized diagnostic interviews, OCD symptom severity assessments and questionnaires evaluating functional impairment and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. FA was measured using the Family Accommodation Scale, a 12-item clinician-rated interview. Our results confirmed a high frequency of accommodation, with approximately 70% of primary caregivers reporting some accommodation daily and 98% at least once per week. FA was associated with increased OCD symptom severity, contamination/cleaning symptoms, internalizing and externalizing behavior, and functional impairment. Linear regression analysis showed that high levels of FA are specifically associated with lower age, higher OCD symptom severity, parent-reported impairment, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms. A path analysis revealed that FA partially mediated the relationship between OCD severity, externalizing symptoms, and child's age, highlighting the role of FA in the progression of OCD and related symptoms. The findings emphasize the importance of evaluating FA before initiating treatment and specifically addressing it during the therapeutic process.

Closing the Gap for Children with OCD: A Staged-Care Model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention

Childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most prevalent and disabling mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents. Although the distress and burden associated with childhood OCD are well documented and empirically supported treatments are available, there remains an unacceptable "treatment gap" and "quality gap" in the provision of services for youth suffering from OCD. The treatment gap represents the large number of children who never receive mental health services for OCD, while the quality gap refers to the children and young people who do access services, but do not receive evidence-based, cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT-ERP). We propose a novel staged-care model of CBT-ERP that aims to improve the treatment access to high-quality CBT-ERP, as well as enhance the treatment outcomes for youth. In staged care, patients receive hierarchically arranged service packages that vary according to the intensity, duration, and mix of treatment options, with provision of care from prevention, early intervention, through to first and second-line treatments. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature on treatment outcomes and predictors of treatments response, we propose a preliminary staging algorithm to determine the level of clinical care, informed by three key determinants: severity of illness, comorbidity, and prior treatment history. The proposed clinical staging model for paediatric OCD prioritises high-quality care for children at all stages and levels of illness, utilising empirically supported CBT-ERP, across multiple modalities, combined with evidence-informed, clinical decision-making heuristics. While informed by evidence, the proposed staging model requires empirical validation before it is ready for prime time.

Long-term functional impairment in pediatric OCD after and during treatment: An analysis of distinct trajectories

The present study aimed to: (a) identify latent class trajectories of OCD-related functional impairment, before, during and over three years after stepped-care treatment in children and adolescents with OCD; (b) describe these classes according to pretreatment characteristics; (c) identify predictors of trajectory class membership and (d) examine the relationship of functional impairment trajectory classes with OCD symptom severity trajectory classes. The sample consisted of 266 children and adolescents (aged 7-17 years) with OCD, participating in the Nordic long-term OCD treatment study. Latent class growth analysis was conducted using Child Obsessive-Compulsive Impact Scale-Revised (COIS-R) data from children and parents on seven assessment points over a three-year period. A 3-class solution was identified. The largest class (70.7%) initiated treatment with lower functional impairment and obtained moderate reduction which was maintained over time. The second class (24.4%) initiated with higher functional impairment which rapidly diminished over time. The third and smallest class (4.9%), initiated with moderate functional impairment which remained stable over time. The classes differed on measures of OCD severity and comorbid symptoms. Most participants improved with treatment and maintained low levels of impairment. However, a subgroup distinguished by higher levels of ADHD symptoms, remained at pretreatment levels of impairment throughout.

Specific Contamination Symptoms are Associated with Experiencing a Limited Response of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Pediatric Patients with OCD

A recent study identified three distinct treatment-response trajectories in pediatric OCD where higher levels of contamination symptoms predicted a limited response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This study extends these findings by examining which specific symptoms characterize limited CBT response from baseline to 3-year follow-up, with an emphasis on contamination symptoms. The study sample comprised 269 pediatric patients with OCD, all receiving stepped-care treatment with manualized CBT. Differences in single item-reporting between the three trajectory groups were examined using linear mixed-effect modeling. Limited responders displayed a higher symptom load across all OCD symptom categories at 3-year follow-up, dominated by contamination symptoms. Five of these (obsessions about dirt and germs, about bodily fluids, about the feeling of contamination and compulsions regarding handwashing and showering) showed persistence from baseline to 3-year follow-up. The results indicate that presence of specific contamination symptoms may influence long-term symptom severity trajectories in young patients with OCD.

Quality of life in pediatric patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder during and 3 years after stepped-care treatment

The present study aimed to investigate the long-term quality of life (QoL) in a large sample of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients. The study included 220 pediatric OCD patients from the Nordic Long-term OCD Treatment Study (NordLOTS) who were evaluated at seven time points before, during, and after stepped-care treatment over a 3-year follow-up period. Data from three symptom severity trajectory classes formed the basis of the QoL evaluation: acute (n = 127, N = 147), slow (n = 46, N = 63), and limited responders (n = 47, N = 59). Patients' QoL was assessed using parent and child ratings of the revised Questionnaire for Measuring Health-related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents (KINDL-R). QoL was analyzed by trajectory class using a random mixed effects model. The association between pre-treatment factors and long-term QoL was investigated across classes in a multivariate model. Three years after treatment, the acute responder class had reached QoL levels from a general population, whereas the limited responder class had not. The slow responder class reached norm levels for the child-rated QoL only. Higher levels of co-occurring externalizing symptoms before treatment were associated with lower parent-rated QoL during follow-up, while adolescence and higher levels of co-occurring internalizing symptoms were associated with lower child-rated QoL during follow-up. For some patients, residual OCD symptoms in the years after treatment, even at levels below assumed clinical significance, are associated with compromised QoL. Co-occurring symptoms could be part of the explanation. Assessing QoL after OCD treatment, beyond the clinician-rated symptom severity, could detect patients in need of further treatment and/or assessment. Trial registry: Nordic Long-term Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment Study; www.controlled-trials.com ; ISRCTN66385119.

Specialty knowledge and competency standards for pharmacotherapy for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Evidence based treatments for pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are delivered with varying levels of expertise. This paper is part of the phase two series by the International OCD Accreditation Task Force (ATF) to advance a standardized high level of care globally. This paper presents specific knowledge and competencies recommended for specialized practice for pediatric psychopharmacologists working with OCD, developed by an international group of clinicians with extensive expertise in assessment and treatment of OCD. Tabulated knowledge and competency standards are operationalized as clinician abilities with specification of evidence for each standard. The distinction between current practice guidelines and ATF standards is discussed. Drug treatment has a solid evidence base. However, it should not be applied isolated, but informed by broad competence in general child and adolescent psychiatry and pediatrics. Other treatment relevant areas such as specialty CBT, family functioning, developmental issues, and neurobiology require consideration. Drug treatment includes several phases with varying degrees of evidence: Starting up medication, titration to maximum tolerated dose, maintenance, termination, and relapse prevention. In complex cases, pharmacotherapy with weak evidence may be needed to target symptoms and/or co-morbidity. The ATF knowledge and competency standards presented will be reviewed and updated commensurate with research.

Symmetry Dimension in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Prevalence, Severity and Clinical Correlates

Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a very heterogeneous condition that frequently includes symptoms of the “symmetry dimension” (i.e., obsessions and/or compulsions of symmetry, ordering, repetition, and counting), along with aggressive, sexual/religious, contamination/cleaning, and hoarding dimensions. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence, severity, and demographic and clinical correlates of the symmetry dimension among 1001 outpatients from the Brazilian Research Consortium on Obsessive–Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. The main assessment instruments used were the Dimensional Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the USP-Sensory Phenomena Scale, the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact tests, Student’s t-tests, and Mann–Whitney tests were used in the bivariate analyses to compare patients with and without symptoms of the symmetry dimension. Odds ratios (ORs) with confidence intervals and Cohen’s D were also calculated as effect size measures. Finally, a logistic regression was performed to control for confounders. Results: The symmetry dimension was highly prevalent (86.8%) in this large clinical sample and, in the logistic regression, it remained associated with earlier onset of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, insidious onset of compulsions, more severe depressive symptoms, and presence of sensory phenomena. Conclusions: A deeper knowledge about specific OCD dimensions is essential for a better understanding and management of this complex and multifaceted disorder.

Sleep quality in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorders

BACKGROUND

Although the effect of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) on sleep is not well-known, recent studies suggest an association between OCD and sleep quality.

AIMS

We aimed to assess sleep quality in children and adolescents with OCD and to seek its association with OCD symptoms and OCD severity.

METHODS

All of the subjects were assessed using DSM 5 and affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-age children - present and lifetime version, which is based on DSM-IV. The Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale and children's Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale were applied to the subjects with OCD. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality, and the Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised (WISC-R) was used to measure their intelligence levels.

RESULTS

PSQI total score was significantly higher in patients with OCD (p < 0.001), suggesting that patients with OCD have a significantly worse sleep quality. The presence of somatic disorders was also associated with worse sleep quality (p = 0.040). Sleep quality was not significantly associated with OCD severity (p = 0.152). Among patients with extreme OCD, the 'sleep duration' component of the PSQI was higher than those with moderate or severe OCD (p = 0.019). The patients with 'contamination/cleaning' symptom group had a lower total PSQI score compared with 'symmetry/hoarding' symptom group (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate that the sleep quality of children and adolescents with OCD is influenced, and there may be an association between sleep quality and OCD symptoms and severity in these patients.

The moderating effect of age on the associations of cognitive and metacognitive beliefs with pediatric OCD symptoms

Although considerable research has highlighted the importance of cognitive and metacognitive beliefs in adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there has been limited investigation of these beliefs in pediatric OCD. The present study investigated the clinical correlates of cognitive and metacognitive beliefs in pediatric OCD. Previous studies found positive relations between OCD symptoms and these beliefs in pediatric patients, and we hypothesized these beliefs would also be positively related to pediatric OCD symptom severity. We additionally hypothesized age would moderate these relationships in consideration of previous studies highlighting age differences in symptom presentation and self-reported beliefs. We also explored age differences in belief endorsements. Youth aged 7-17 (n = 142) diagnosed with OCD completed self-report scales to measure cognitive and meta-cognitive beliefs. OCD severity was assessed using self-report and clinician-rated measures. Pearson correlations, moderation analyses, and independent-samples t-tests were used to test our hypotheses and aims. Significant positive relationships were observed between cognitive and metacognitive beliefs and self-reported OCD severity, although age did not moderate these relationships. Age differences were found in belief endorsements. In conclusion, cognitive and metacognitive beliefs appear clinically relevant to pediatric OCD cases, and we recommend clinicians assess these beliefs and incorporate cognitive components to corresponding evidence-based treatment.

Distinct trajectories of long-term symptom severity in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder during and after stepped-care treatment

BACKGROUND

First-line treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). No studies have thus far identified distinct classes and associated predictors of long-term symptom severity during and after treatment. Yet, these could form the basis for more personalized treatment in pediatric OCD.

METHOD

The study included 269 OCD patients aged 7-17 years from the Nordic Long-term OCD Treatment Study (NordLOTS). All participants received stepped-care treatment starting with 14 weekly sessions of manualized CBT. Nonresponders were randomized to either prolonged CBT or SSRIs. Symptom severity was assessed using the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale at seven time points from pre- to post-treatment and over a three-year follow-up. Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was performed to identify latent classes of symptom severity trajectories. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to detect differences between classes and identify predictors of trajectory class membership including several clinical and demographic variables.

TRIAL REGISTRY

Nordic Long-term Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment Study; www.controlled-trials.com; ISRCTN66385119.

RESULTS

Three LCGA classes were identified: (a) acute, sustained responders (54.6%); (b) slow, continued responders (23.4%); and (c) limited long-term responders (21.9%). Class membership was predicted by distinct baseline characteristics pertaining to age, symptom severity, contamination/cleaning and anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The LCGA suggests three distinct trajectory classes of long-term symptom severity during and after treatment in pediatric OCD with different clinical profiles at pretreatment. The results point to required clinical attention for adolescent patients with contamination/cleaning and anxiety symptoms who do not show convincing responses to first-line treatment even though they may have reached the established cutoff for treatment response.

The Centrality of Doubting and Checking in the Network Structure of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions in Youth

OBJECTIVE

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition with well-established symptom dimensions across the lifespan. The objective of the present study was to use network analysis to investigate the internal structure of these dimensions in unselected schoolchildren and in children with OCD.

METHOD

We estimated the network structure of OCD symptom dimensions in 6,991 schoolchildren and 704 children diagnosed with OCD from 18 sites across 6 countries. All participants completed the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version.

RESULTS

In both the school-based and clinic-based samples, the OCD dimensions formed an interconnected network with doubting/checking emerging as a highly central node, that is, having strong connections to other symptom dimensions in the network. The centrality of the doubting/checking dimension was consistent across countries, sexes, age groups, clinical status, and tic disorder comorbidity. Network differences were observed for age and sex in the school-based but not the clinic-based samples.

CONCLUSION

The centrality of doubting/checking in the network structure of childhood OCD adds to classic and recent conceptualizations of the disorder in which the important role of doubt in disorder severity and maintenance is highlighted. The present results suggest that doubting/checking is a potentially important target for further research into the etiology and treatment of childhood OCD.

Clinical profile of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: A multicentric study from India

CONTEXT

Data from the Western countries suggest that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents is associated with male preponderance, comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders, and high family loading. However, data are limited from the developing countries with respect to the demographic and clinical characteristics of OCD in children and adolescents.

AIMS

To study the demographic and clinical characteristics of children and adolescents (age ≤18 years) with OCD.

SETTING AND DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in outpatient treatment setting, across six centers in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were assessed using a semi-structured pro forma for sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics, the Children's Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CYBOCS), Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5^th Edition Research Version, Children's Depression Rating Scale, and Family Interview for Genetic Studies.

RESULTS

The sample was largely male with a moderate illness severity. Nearly 75% of the sample had illness onset before the age of 14 years. Aggressive, contamination-related obsessions and washing, checking, and repeating compulsions were the most common symptoms. CYBOCS assessment revealed that >2/3^rd of children and adolescents endorsed avoidance, pathological doubting, overvalued sense of responsibility, pervasive slowness, and indecisiveness. Family history and comorbidity rates were low. OC-related disorders were present in about 10% of the sample.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the clinical characteristics of OCD in children and adolescents in developing countries differ on certain aspects as reported from developed countries.

Neural correlates of symptom provocation in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

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Largest controlled pediatric OCD symptom provocation study.

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Novel standardized symptom provocation picture set for pediatric OCD.

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Behavioral group differences strongest for ‘Just Right’ factor.

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Temporal pole recruited by OCD group.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

(OCD)-affected adults and children exhibit three to four symptom dimensions with distinct but overlapping neural correlates. No symptom provocation behavioural or imaging study has examined all symptom dimensions in a pediatric OCD sample.

Method

Clinically diagnosed pediatric OCD-affected participants (n = 25) as well as age, gender and Tanner pubertal stage-matched healthy controls (HCs; n = 24) (total sample: mean age = 14.77 ± 2.93 years; age range = 9–18 years; 35% male) viewed alternating blocks of OCD symptom provocation (Contamination, Bad Thoughts, and Just Right symptom dimensions), Fear, Neutral and Rest (i.e. fixation) conditions during functional magnetic resonance imaging. A region-of-interest analysis used seeds based upon results of an adult OCD meta-analysis

Results

OCD participants found OCD symptom-related stimuli bothersome, particularly when compared to controls in the “Just Right” symptom dimension. Pediatric OCD patients exhibited greater recruitment of the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) than healthy controls during combined symptom provocation versus neutral conditions.

Conclusion

Findings suggest involvement of the temporal poles rather than in classic cortico-striatal-thalamico-cortical circuits in pediatric OCD during symptom provocation.

Comorbid Psychopathology and the Clinical Profile of Family Accommodation in Pediatric OCD

Family accommodation (FA) has been linked with myriad negative outcomes in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but extant literature has yielded differential relationships between FA and clinical variables of interest. Consequently, this study examined the phenomenology, clinical profile, and effects of comorbid psychopathology on FA to better understand these behaviors. A total of 150 youths and their caregivers completed clinician- and self-reported measures at a baseline visit for a larger randomized controlled trial. Sociodemographic variables were not associated with FA, but specific types of OCD symptom clusters were. Higher OC-symptom severity and functional impairment were associated with increased FA. Comorbid anxiety disorders moderated the relationship between OC-symptom severity and FA, but comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity, oppositional defiant, and mood disorders did not. Internalizing and externalizing problems both mediated the relationship between FA and functional impairment. These findings provide clinical implications for important treatment targets and factors that may impact FA.

Hoarding in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder: prevalence, clinical correlates, and cognitive behavioral therapy outcome

Hoarding, common in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has specific clinical correlates and is associated with poor prognosis. However, there are few studies of hoarding in pediatric OCD. This study estimates the occurrence of hoarding symptoms in a sample of children and adolescents with OCD, investigating possible differences in demographic and clinical variables between pediatric OCD with and without hoarding symptoms. Furthermore, the study investigates whether hoarding symptoms predict poorer treatment outcomes after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The study sample comprised 269 children and adolescents with OCD, aged 7-17 years, from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, who were all included in the Nordic long-term obsessive-compulsive disorder Treatment Study. All had an OCD diagnosis according to the DSM-IV and were treated with 14 weekly sessions of manualized, exposure-based CBT. Hoarding symptoms and OCD severity were assessed with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and group differences in treatment outcome were analyzed using linear mixed-effect modelling. Seventy-two patients (26.8%) had one or more symptoms of hoarding. Comorbid tic disorders (p = 0.005) and indecision (p = 0.024) were more prevalent among those with hoarding symptoms than those without hoarding symptoms. In addition, youth with hoarding symptoms had a different OCD symptom profile. Having symptoms of hoarding did not affect CBT outcome (p = 0.933). Results from the study suggest that CBT is equally effective for those with and without hoarding-related OCD.

Convergent and divergent validity of the schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-age children - present and lifetime version diagnoses in a sample of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The presence of comorbid conditions associated with paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is reported to range from 50 to 80% and to have an impact on treatment outcome. Accurate identification of comorbid psychiatric disorders is necessary in order to provide personalised care. Reliable and valid diagnostic interviews are essential in the process of establishing the correct diagnoses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the convergent and divergent validity of four diagnose categories generated by the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). The diagnose categories were: anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The K-SADS-PL was applied in a clinical sample of youth aged 7-17 years (N = 269), who were participants in the Nordic long-term OCD-treatment study (NordLOTS). Youth and parents completed measures to evaluate symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and ODD. Convergent and divergent validity of K-SADS-PL anxiety diagnosis was supported based on both anxiety self- and parent-reports. Similarly, support was found for convergent and divergent validity of ADHD and ODD diagnoses. For depressive disorder, support for convergent validity was found based on the depression self-report. Support for divergent validity of depression was found based on both the depression self- and parent-reports. Results of the present study suggest that the K-SADS-PL generates valid diagnoses of comorbid anxiety disorders, depression disorders, ODD, and ADHD in children and adolescents with OCD.

Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology in Community Youth: Typical Development or a Red Flag for Psychopathology?

OBJECTIVE

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are common throughout development and often considered developmentally appropriate. We evaluated the prevalence and phenotypic heterogeneity of self-reported OCS in a large community youth sample not ascertained for seeking mental-health help. We aimed to identify patterns in OCS that are associated with serious psychopathology and may thus represent a "red flag" that merits psychiatric evaluation.

METHOD

Data were analyzed from youth from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (N = 7,054, aged 11-21 years, 54% female). Participants underwent structured psychiatric interviews, including screening for OCS (8 obsessions, 8 compulsions, and hoarding) and other major psychopathology domains. Factor analysis was conducted to identify clustering of OCS presentation. Regression models were used to investigate association of OCS with threshold lifetime diagnoses of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depressive episode, psychosis, and suicide ideation.

RESULTS

OCS were common in non-mental health-seeking individuals (38.2%), although only 3% met threshold OCD criteria. OCS were more common in female participants and postpuberty. Factor analyses resulted in 4 factors: F1 - Bad Thoughts; F2 - Repeating/Checking; F3 - Symmetry; F4 - Cleaning/Contamination; and Hoarding as a separate item. All OCS were associated with higher rates of OCD, depression, psychosis, and suicide ideation. However, endorsement of F1 symptoms, prevalent in more than 20% of the sample, showed the most substantial associations with major psychiatric conditions.

CONCLUSION

OCS are common in community youth. Although for most youths OCS symptoms may be benign, some patterns of OCS are associated with major psychiatric conditions. These findings may help to identify youth at risk for serious psychopathology.

[The clinical assessment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents - A study with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS-D)]

The clinical assessment of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents - A study with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS-D) Abstract. Objective: The CY-BOCS is internationally the most widely used instrument for the assessment of juvenile obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this study, for the first time, the psychometric properties of a German version of the CY-BOCS (CY-BOCS-D) are examined in a pediatric OCD sample (n = 169; age 11-18 years). Method: The factor structure, internal consistencies, convergent and divergent validity are analyzed. Results: The exploratory factor analyses confirm a two-factor structure of the CY-BOCS-D Rating Scale and reveal a four-factor structure of the CY-BOCS-D Checklist. The internal consistencies are satisfactory to very good, convergent and divergent validity are confirmed. Conclusions: The results support the CY-BOCS as a "gold standard" also for OCD-diagnostics in German-speaking countries.

Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions: Association with comorbidity profiles and cognitive-behavioral therapy outcome in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Our aims were to examine: (1) classes of comorbid disorders in a sample of children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), (2) how these classes relate to obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions, and (3) the extent to which obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions predict Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) outcome. Participants (N = 269) were assessed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL) and the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify comorbidity classes. Regression analyses were used to evaluate symptom dimensions as predictors of treatment outcome and their relation to comorbidity classes. Comorbidity was included in the treatment outcome analyses as it can affect outcome. Comorbidity was best categorized by a three-class model and each class was distinctively correlated with the OCD symptom dimensions. Higher scores on the symmetry/hoarding factor increased the chance of responding to CBT by an odds ratio of 1.56 (p = 0.020) when controlled for age, gender, and comorbidity class. The harm/sexual factor (p = 0.675) and contamination/cleaning factor (p = 0.122) did not predict CBT outcome. Three clinically relevant comorbidity subgroups in pediatric OCD were identified. Patients who exhibited higher levels of symmetry/hoarding dimension were more prone to respond to CBT.

The importance of insight, avoidance behavior, not-just-right perception and personality traits in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): a naturalistic clinical study

PURPOSE

The primary aim of the present explorative naturalistic study was to examine the association of poor insight, avoidance behavior, and not-just-right sensation with baseline parameters including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, baseline severity scores, comorbidity, and personality traits. A second aim was to examine how insight, avoidance and not-just-right sensation influence treatment outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 317 medical records from children and adolescents with OCD referred to a specialized OCD clinic in Denmark were recorded for baseline parameters and treatment outcome. All information was used.

RESULTS

Avoidance behavior and poor insight were associated with an increased baseline severity, whereas not-just-right perception was not. Avoidance behavior was associated with the contamination/cleaning subtype, and a not-just-right sensation with the hoarding/symmetry subtype. Lower insight and avoidance behavior were associated with comorbid conditions. At post-treatment, not-just-right perception was associated with a risk of relapse, whereas lower insight was negatively associated with gaining remission. Avoidance behavior reduced the probability of remission and increased the number of offered sessions as well as and the likelihood of having SRI prescribed. Different personality traits were associated with treatment outcome.

CONCLUSION

Insight, avoidance behavior, and not-just-right perceptions seem important for baseline severity and post-treatment outcome. Baseline examination should include a systematic description, which could guide treatment. The present study is an explorative study describing a naturalistic clinical population. Therefore, a number of limitations should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results. More systematic studies on the importance of insight, avoidance behavior and not-just-right perceptions are warranted.

Symptom Insight in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Outcomes of an International Aggregated Cross-Sectional Sample

Insight in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) refers to patients' recognition that their obsessions and compulsions are symptoms rather than necessary or natural thoughts and behaviors.¹ It has been estimated that 20% to 45% of youth with OCD exhibit poor or absent insight.^2-4 Identified correlates of poor insight include younger age,^2,3,5,6 increased OCD severity,^2,4,7 impairment,^4,7,8 and family accommodation^2,4; lower intellectual and adaptive functioning³; and greater depressive symptoms.^2,3 Poorer insight has also been associated with reduced response across treatment groups (ie, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI], cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], combined SSRI plus CBT, or pill placebo).⁹.