Personality disorders do not influence the results of cognitive and behavior therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder

Course and clinical correlates of obsessive-compulsive disorder with or without comorbid personality disorder

BACKGROUND

Personality disorders (PDs) are often comorbid with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which may influence symptom presentation and course. This investigation sought to examine the impact of comorbid PDs on clinical presentation and symptom chronicity in a large, prospective longitudinal OCD study.

METHODS

Participants (n = 263) were treatment-seeking adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD separated into two groups: individuals with and without a co-occurring PD. We conducted two-tailed t-tests to compare symptom severity, functioning, and quality of life between the OCD + PD group (n = 117) and the OCD w/o PD group (n = 146). Chronicity analyses were conducted to compare the amount of time in-episode for OCD and major depressive disorder (MDD) between the two groups.

RESULTS

The OCD + PD group reported greater OCD and depression severity, lower levels of psychosocial functioning and worse quality of life than the OCD w/o PD group. The OCD + PD group exhibited greater OCD and MDD symptom chronicity; over 5 years the OCD + PD group spent 16.2 % weeks longer at full criteria for OCD and three times as many weeks in episode for MDD than the OCD w/o PD group.

LIMITATIONS

Focusing on PDs as a group limited our ability to make observations about specific PDs. Further, the participants in our sample were predominantly White and all were treatment seeking which limits the generalizability of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that those with OCD and comorbid PDs present with greater overall impairment and may require additional considerations during treatment conceptualization and planning.

Schizotypal personality disorder in clinical obsessive-compulsive disorder samples: a brief overview

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling mental disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions that cause major distress and impair important areas of functioning. About 9 out of 10 patients with OCD have comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. A high proportion of clinically diagnosed OCD patients fulfill diagnostic criteria of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, to the point that significant evidence in the literature supports the existence and the clinical relevance of a schizo-obsessive spectrum of disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) with OCD (schizotypal OCD). In this paper, we provide a brief but comprehensive analysis of the literature on the clinical coexistence between OCD and SPD. The clinical validity of the so-called schizotypal OCD is analyzed through a comprehensive investigation of the relationship between SPD features and obsessive-compulsive phenomena in clinical OCD samples. This review describes the potential connections between OCD and SPD on the epidemiological, sociodemographic, psychopathological, and clinical levels. SPD is commonly observed in OCD patients: about 10% of OCD patients have a full categorical diagnosis of SPD. Early clinical identification of SPD features-and, more generally, of psychotic features and personality disorders-in OCD patients is strongly recommended. In fact, a proper and early diagnosis with early treatment may have benefits for prognosis. However, although schizotypal OCD seems to have clinical and predictive validity, further neurobiological and genetic studies on etiological specificity are warranted.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Co-occurring in Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:• Assess the rates of co-occurring obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)• Identify characteristics related to OCD with co-occurring OCPD.

ABSTRACT

The current literature discloses discrepant findings regarding the rates of co-occurring obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, it is not clear which characteristics are related specifically to OCD with co-occurring OCPD. We conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies of the prevalence of OCPD in patients with OCD. We also investigated potential moderators of the prevalence, including OCD severity, age of onset of OCD, sex, current age, methodological quality, and publication date of the studies. Electronic databases and gray literature were searched by two independent reviewers. A PRISMA systematic review with a random-effect meta-analysis was conducted. Thirty-four studies were included. A significant mean effect size of 0.25 without publication bias indicated that OCPD was present in 25% of patients with OCD, suggesting that the two conditions are distinct clinical entities. This prevalence was higher than the rates found in the literature for any other personality disorders among OCD patients. OCPD that occurs in the context of OCD was more likely to be present in males and to be characterized by a later age of onset of OCD, older age at assessment, and less severe OCD symptoms. Clinicians should consider these findings when assessing and planning treatment of OCD with co-occurring OCPD.

Do personality disorders predict negative treatment outcome in obsessive–compulsive disorders? A prospective 6-month follow-up study

Background.

Comorbid personality disorders (PDs) are discussed as risk factors for a negative treatment outcome in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, studies published so far have produced conflicting results. The present study examined whether PDs affect treatment outcome in patients with OCD.

Methods.

The treatment sample consisted of 55 patients with OCD who were consecutively referred to a Behaviour Therapy Unit for an in-patient or day-clinic treatment. Treatment consisted of an individualised and multimodal cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT, with or without antidepressive medication). Measurements were taken prior and after treatment and 6-month after admission.

Results.

A large percentage of patients benefited from treatment irrespective of the presence of a PD and were able to maintain their improvement at follow-up. Duration of treatment was not prolonged in OCD patients with concomitant Axis II disorders. However, some specific personality traits (schizotypal, passive–aggressive) were baseline determinants for later treatment failure at trend level.

Conclusions.

Results are encouraging for therapists working with patients co-diagnosed with Axis II disorders since these patients are not necessarily non-responders. The results stress the importance of a specifically tailored treatment approach based on an individual case formulation in OCD patients with complex symptomatology and comorbid Axis II disorders.

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder

Objective:

To provide practical clinical guidance for the treatment of adults with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder in Australia and New Zealand.

Method:

Relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials were identified by searching PsycINFO, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases. Additional relevant studies were identified from reference lists of identified articles, grey literature and literature known to the working group. Evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations were formulated by synthesising the evidence from efficacy studies, considering effectiveness in routine practice, accessibility and availability of treatment options in Australia and New Zealand, fidelity, acceptability to patients, safety and costs. The draft guidelines were reviewed by expert and clinical advisors, key stakeholders, professional bodies, and specialist groups with interest and expertise in anxiety disorders.

Results:

The guidelines recommend a pragmatic approach beginning with psychoeducation and advice on lifestyle factors, followed by initial treatment selected in collaboration with the patient from evidence-based options, taking into account symptom severity, patient preference, accessibility and cost. Recommended initial treatment options for all three anxiety disorders are cognitive–behavioural therapy (face-to-face or delivered by computer, tablet or smartphone application), pharmacotherapy (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor together with advice about graded exposure to anxiety triggers), or the combination of cognitive–behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy.

Conclusion:

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder provide up-to-date guidance and advice on the management of these disorders for use by health professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

Treatment outcomes for inpatients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: An open comparison trial

BACKGROUND

The current case-control study compared rates of clinically significant and reliable change in psychopathology and global functioning, prevalence of clinical deterioration, and rates of symptom remission among adult patients with obsessive compulsive personality disorder OCPD (n=52) and well-matched inpatients with any other personality disorder (n=56) and no personality disorder (n=53).

METHODS

Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to select patients matched on specific criteria present in the OCPD group. Multivariate analysis of variance models measured differences in admission functioning and RCI change across depression and anxiety severity, emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Patients diagnosed with OCPD admit to treatment with higher rates of depression, anxiety, difficulty with emotion regulation and non-acceptance of emotional experience than inpatient controls. Furthermore, OCPD patients respond to treatment at a similar rate to inpatient controls, but experience lower rates of anxiety remission upon discharge. Post-hoc analyses indicate individuals meeting stubbornness and rigidity (OCPD Criteria 8) were nine times more likely to report moderate to severe anxiety at point of discharge.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include a predominantly Caucasian, inpatient sample, use of self-report measures and a non-manualized treatment approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, OCPD inpatients benefit from an intensive multimodal psychiatric treatment, but experience more anxiety than non-PD patients upon discharge.

The Impact of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

BACKGROUND

It is often suggested that, in general, co-morbid personality disorders are likely to interfere with CBT based treatment of Axis I disorders, given that personality disorders are regarded as dispositional and are therefore considered less amenable to change than axis I psychiatric disorders.

AIMS

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) on cognitive-behavioural treatment for OCD.

METHOD

92 individuals with a diagnosis of OCD participated in this study. Data were drawn from measures taken at initial assessment and following cognitive-behavioural treatment at a specialist treatment centre for anxiety disorders.

RESULTS

At assessment, participants with OCD and OCPD had greater overall OCD symptom severity, as well as doubting, ordering and hoarding symptoms relative to those without OCPD; however, participants with co-morbid OCD and OCPD demonstrated greater treatment gains in terms of OCD severity, checking and ordering than those without OCPD. Individuals with OCD and OCPD had higher levels of checking, ordering and overall OCD severity at initial assessment; however, at post-treatment they had similar scores to those without OCPD.

CONCLUSION

The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of research on axis I and II co-morbidity and the impact of axis II disorders on treatment for axis I disorders.

Current understanding of the relationships between obsessive-compulsive disorder and personality disturbance

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to examine the relationships between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality disturbance, with a particular focus on the diagnostic, aetiological and treatment implications of these relationships.

RECENT FINDINGS

Personality disorders are common in OCD. They interact in various ways and in accordance with a number of the proposed models. The relationship between OCD and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is the most important, but it can be conceptualised in different ways and may vary from one person to another. The most clinically relevant implication of the presence of schizotypal personality disorder in OCD is poor prognosis and treatment outcome of OCD. The findings of the effects of personality disorders on treatment outcome of OCD have been inconsistent for most personality disorders, largely due to poor quality of research. Better understanding of the specific relationships between OCD and personality disturbance should lead to a more tailored treatment approach.

SUMMARY

Large prospective studies are needed to better understand how various relationships between OCD and specific personality disorders could be conceptualised more soundly. Such studies will also provide the foundation for more effective treatments of OCD patients with co-occurring personality disorders.

The Effect of Borderline Personality Pathology on Outcome of Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach which has been shown to be an effective intervention for most psychiatric disorders. There are conflicting data in the literature regarding whether a comorbid personality disorder worsens the prognosis of CBT for depression, anxiety, and other complaints. This study examined data collected before and after courses of CBT for patients with significant borderline (n=39, 11.5%) or obsessive-compulsive (n=66, 19.4%) personality pathology or no personality disorder (n=235, 69.1%). A diagnosis of personality pathology was not a significant predictor of outcome in CBT as measured by the reliable change index. However, patients with borderline personality pathology did demonstrate a greater response to CBT than other patients in terms of improvement on several measures of symptoms. Patients with borderline personality pathology appear to enter therapy with greater subjective depression and interpersonal difficulty than other patients but achieve larger gains during therapy. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Impact of personality psychopathology on outcome in short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy for Axis I disorders

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for many Axis I disorders, though its effectiveness in the real world, for patients with Axis II comorbidity is less well known. This study examines the effectiveness of CBT for Axis I disorders in three groups of patients: those with personality disorders, those with personality disorder traits and those with no Axis II pathology. Consecutive referrals of patients with non-psychotic Axis I disorders were assessed for short-term CBT in a University Teaching Unit. While the acceptance rate was lower for individuals with personality disorders, there were no group differences in dropout rates. Of those who completed therapy (mean number of sessions=17.8, SD=11.2), those in the Personality Disorders group (n=45) had 4 sessions more on average than the Personality Disorder Traits group (n=42) or the No Axis II Group (n=266). All 3 groups were equally successful, whether the outcome was therapist opinion of success, the clinical global impression, or the reliable change index based on patient-reported symptom change. Intent to treat analysis results paralleled those of the completer analysis. Our findings indicate that the presence of a personality disorder does not negatively impact therapy adherence or success in short-term CBT for an Axis I disorder.

Does time-intensive ERP attenuate the negative impact of comorbid personality disorders on the outcome of treatment-resistant OCD?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is growing interest regarding patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who do not fully respond to cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Limited data are available on the role of Comorbid Personality Disorders (CPDs) in the outcome of treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), despite the fact that CPDs are considered a predictor of a poorer outcome. This study investigated whether a time-intensive scheduling of treatment could be an effective strategy aimed at attenuating the negative influence of CPDs on outcome in a sample of 49 inpatients with a primary diagnosis of treatment-resistant OCD.

METHOD

38 inpatients completed the five-week individual treatment consisting of daily and prolonged sessions of exposure with response prevention (ERP) delivered for 2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon. 44% of the sample received a full diagnosis of one or more CPDs. Following a pre-post-test design, outcome measures included the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).

RESULTS

Data showed that the treatment was effective and indicated that CPDs were not a significant predictor of treatment failure.

LIMITATIONS

Future larger studies should evaluate the role of specific clusters of CPDs on the outcome of resistant OCD.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that an intensive treatment could be effective for severely ill patients who have not responded to weekly outpatient sessions and could also attenuate the negative impact of CPDs on outcome, evidencing the importance of a tailored therapeutic approach for patients who need a rapid reduction in OCD-related impairment.

The effect of personality disorders on treatment outcomes in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorders

The effect of comorbid personality disorders (PD) on treatment outcomes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is unclear. The authors systematically review results from investigations of therapy outcomes in adult patients with OCD and a comorbid PD. PsycINFO and MEDLINE were searched for original articles. Twenty-three studies assessing PDs through interviews were selected. Cluster A PDs, particularly schizotypal PD, narcissistic PD, and the presence of two or more comorbid PDs, were associated with poorer treatment outcomes in patients with OCD. With regard to other PDs and clusters, the results are inconsistent or the sample sizes are too small to reach a conclusion. OCD patients with different comorbid PDs differ in their therapeutic response to treatment. To optimize the treatment of OCD, the predictive value of PDs on the treatment outcome should be further investigated, and treatment of Axis I and II comorbidity requires more attention.

A systematic review of predictors and moderators of response to psychological therapies in OCD: do we have enough empirical evidence to target treatment?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling mental health condition. Despite effective psychological treatments for OCD, a significant percentage of patients fail to experience lasting benefit. Factors underlying variable treatment response are poorly understood. Moderators of outcome can help understand "for whom" and "under what circumstances" an intervention works best and thus improve service effectiveness. This paper synthesizes the evidence on predictors and moderators and assesses the quality of reporting of related analyses in psychological therapies for adults with OCD. Trials were identified through electronic searches (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE), key author, and reference list searches of relevant systematic reviews. Fifty five percent (38/69) of relevant trials reported baseline factors associated with outcome; these encompassed clinical, demographic, interpersonal, OCD symptom-specific, psychological/psychosocial, and treatment-specific variables. Predictors were commonly assessed via a validated pre-randomization measure, though few trials adopted best practice by stating a priori hypotheses or conducting a test of interaction. Potential associations emerged between worse OCD treatment outcome and the following factors: hoarding pathology, increased anxiety and OCD symptom severity, certain OCD symptom subtypes, unemployment, and being single/not married. However, the applied utility of these analyses is currently limited by methodological weaknesses.

Comorbidity of personality disorders in anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of 30 years of research

BACKGROUND

A comprehensive meta-analysis to identify the proportions of comorbid personality disorders (PD) across the major subtypes of anxiety disorders (AD) has not previously been published.

METHODS

A literature search identified 125 empirical papers from the period 1980-2010 on patients with panic disorders, social phobia, generalised anxiety, obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several moderators were coded.

RESULTS

The rate of any comorbid PD was high across all ADs, ranging from .35 for PTSD to .52 for OCD. Cluster C PDs occurred more than twice as often as cluster A or B PDs. Within cluster C the avoidant PD occurred most frequently, followed by the obsessive-compulsive and the dependent PD. PTSD showed the most heterogeneous clinical picture and social phobia was highly comorbid with avoidant PD. A range of moderators were examined, but most were non-significant or of small effects, except an early age of onset, which in social phobia increased the risk of an avoidant PD considerably. Gender or duration of an AD was not related to variation in PD comorbidity.

LIMITATIONS

Blind rating of diagnoses was recorded from the papers as an indication of diagnostic validity. However, as too few studies reported it the validity of the comorbid estimates of PD was less strong.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provided support to several of the proposed changes in the forthcoming DSM-5. Further comorbidity studies are needed in view of the substantial changes in how PDs will be diagnosed in the DSM-5.

Mood and Global Symptom Changes among Psychotherapy Clients with Depressive Personality

The present study assessed the rate of depressive personality (DP), as measured by the self-report instrument depressive personality disorder inventory (DPDI), among 159 clients entering psychotherapy at an outpatient university clinic. The presenting clinical profile was evaluated for those with and without DP, including levels of depressed mood, other psychological symptoms, and global severity of psychopathology. Clients were followed naturalistically over the course of therapy, up to 40 weeks, and reassessed on these variables again after treatment. Results indicated that 44 percent of the sample qualified for DP prior to treatment, and these individuals had a comparatively more severe and complex presenting disposition than those without DP. Mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine between-groups changes on mood and global severity over time, with those with DP demonstrating larger reductions on both outcome variables, although still showing more symptoms after treatment, than those without DP. Only eleven percent of the sample continued to endorse DP following treatment. These findings suggest that in routine clinical situations, psychotherapy may benefit individuals with DP.

Predictors of treatment outcome in modular cognitive therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder

BACKGROUND

The present study sought to identify predictors of outcome for a comprehensive cognitive therapy (CT) developed for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

METHODS

Treatment was delivered over 22 sessions and included standard CT methods, as well as specific strategies designed for subtypes of OCD including religious, sexual, and other obsessions. This study of 39 participants assigned to CT examined predictors of outcomes assessed on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. A variety of baseline symptom variables were examined as well as treatment expectancy and motivation.

RESULTS

Findings indicated that participants who perceived themselves as having more severe OCD at baseline remained in treatment but more severe symptoms were marginally associated with worse outcome for those who completed therapy. Depressed and anxious mood did not predict post-test outcome, but more Axis I comorbid diagnoses (mainly major depression and anxiety disorders), predicted more improvement, as did the presence of sexual (but not religious) OCD symptoms, and stronger motivation (but not expectancy). A small rebound in OCD symptoms at 1-year follow-up was significantly predicted by higher scores on personality traits, especially for schizotypal (but not obsessive-compulsive personality) traits.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer treatment may be needed for those with more severe symptoms at the outset. CT may have positive effects not only on OCD symptoms but also on comorbid depressive and anxious disorders and associated underlying core beliefs. Findings are discussed in light of study limitations and research on other predictors.

Does cognitive-behavioral therapy response among adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder differ as a function of certain comorbidities?

This study examines the impact of several of the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders (i.e., generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); major depressive disorder (MDD); social phobia, and panic disorder) on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) response in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One hundred and forty-three adults with OCD (range=18-79 years) received 14 sessions of weekly or intensive CBT. Assessments were conducted before and after treatment. Primary outcomes included scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), response rates, and remission status. Sixty-nine percent of participants met criteria for at least one comorbid diagnosis. Although baseline OCD severity was slightly higher among individuals with OCD+MDD and OCD+GAD (in comparison to those with OCD-only), neither the presence nor the number of pre-treatment comorbid disorders predicated symptom severity, treatment response, remission, or clinically significant change rates at post-treatment. These data suggest that CBT for OCD is robust to the presence of certain common Axis-I comorbidities.

Influence of co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and personality disorders on the outcome of cognitive behavioural treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

This study examined co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder and personality disorders as predictors of treatment outcomes in adult outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The patients received exposure with response prevention (ERP) treatment with the addition of either elements of cognitive therapy (ERP+CT) or relaxation training (ERP+REL). It was hypothesized that the addition of cognitive interventions would yield better treatment outcomes for patients with co-morbid generalized anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder. It was also hypothesized that patients with any personality disorder would show less treatment gains in both conditions. Using intention-to-treat criteria, patients with generalized anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder co-morbidity showed less treatment gains at post-treatment across both treatment conditions. This group showed significantly more treatment gains in the ERP+CT condition at the post-treatment and the 12-month follow-up assessments compared with patients in the ERP+REL condition. However, this was not significant when comparing treatment completers. Patients with a co-morbid Cluster A or B personality disorder showed significantly less treatment gains in both treatment conditions at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Among treatment completers, patients with a Cluster C personality disorder showed significantly better outcomes at the post-treatment assessment in the ERP+REL treatment condition. These results, clinical implications, and the importance of further investigations are discussed.

Terapias de base cognitivo-comportamental do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo: revisão sistemática da última década

OBJETIVO: Revisar de forma sistemática os estudos controlados e meta-análises que envolveram tratamento cognitivo ou comportamental do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo publicados na última década. MÉTODO: Análise sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados e meta-análises indexados no Medline e PsycInfo. RESULTADOS: Os estudos avaliados confirmam que a exposição e prevenção de resposta e a terapia cognitiva são eficazes no tratamento do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo de crianças, adolescentes e adultos. Em adultos, o uso concomitante de inibidores da recaptação da serotonina e exposição e prevenção de resposta ou terapia cognitiva não foi associado a um efeito adicional na resposta ao tratamento. No transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo infantil, o uso combinado de inibidores da recaptação da serotonina e exposição e prevenção de resposta foi superior aos dois tratamentos isoladamente. A exposição e prevenção de resposta associada à terapia cognitiva resultou em benefícios significativos em pacientes com predominância de pensamentos obsessivos e sua modalidade em grupo também produziu redução significativa dos sintomas obsessivos e compulsivos. CONCLUSÃO: Atualmente, as terapias de base cognitivo-comportamental são as mais adequadas para o tratamento do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo; porém, mais estudos envolvendo follow-up em longo prazo, tratamento em grupo e uso concomitante de medicação são necessários.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a 3-year prospective follow-up study of patients treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors OCD follow-up study

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term course of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and to identify predictors of clinical outcome. Seventy-nine patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for OCD were followed prospectively for 3 years. Baseline information was collected on demographic and clinical characteristics, using standardized instruments. During the follow-up period, the clinical status of each patient was evaluated monthly in the first year and bimonthly thereafter by means of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS). The cumulative probability of achieving at least partial remission from obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms during the 3-year period was 65%. The probability of full remission was 38%. For subjects who achieved at least partial remission, the probability of subsequent relapse was 60%. Significant predictors of poor outcome included a longer duration of illness, a greater severity of OC symptoms at intake, and the presence of comorbid schizotypal personality disorder. The findings confirm that the course of illness in OCD is usually continuous with fluctuations in the intensity of OC symptoms. Despite adequate SRI therapy, relatively few patients achieve a completely asymptomatic state, and of those who achieve at least a partial remission, a substantial proportion subsequently relapse. One third of OCD patients is treatment-resistant. Further studies with large samples are required to adequately identify predictors of long-term outcome of OCD in order to optimize the choice among the existing treatment modalities. The development of alternative strategies is needed to improve the treatment approaches for treatment-resistant OCD patients.

Influences of beliefs and personality disorders on treatment outcome in anxiety patients

The present study investigated the effects of personality disorders (PDs) and specific PD-related beliefs on the results of (cognitive-)behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in a sample of 398 outpatients. The authors used a prospective design in which relationships between PD variables before treatment and outcome measures at posttest and follow-up were evaluated with multilevel analyses. People with PDs and PD-related beliefs reported higher symptom levels at outcome. However, these effects were not as strong as might be expected on the basis of prevailing clinical thought in this area. Dropout rates were not influenced by the presence of 1 or more PDs or PD-related beliefs. Results indicate that treatment of anxiety disorders in patients with concomitant one or more PDs is appropriate.

Positive schizotypal symptoms predict treatment outcome in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Previous research has suggested that the presence of schizotypal personality disorder may represent a risk factor for treatment failure in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Relying on a dimensional approach, the present study investigated whether the predictive importance of schizotypal personality is shared by all of its features to the same extent or whether it is confined to a subset of symptoms. Fifty-three patients underwent multi-modal cognitive-behavioral therapy with or without adjunctive antidepressive medication. Therapy response was defined as a 35% decline of the Y-BOCS total score. At baseline assessment, patients were asked to fill out the schizotypal personality questionnaire, the perceptual aberration scale and the Beck depression inventory. Stepwise regression analysis and group comparisons conducted with the schizotypal and depression scales revealed that elevated scores in the positive schizotypal scales, especially perceptual aberrations, were highly predictive for treatment failure. Responders to treatment and non-responders did not significantly differ on other variables or on scores in two scales which measured response biases. The study provides evidence that positive schizotypal symptoms are antecendents for treatment failure in OCD. It needs to be evaluated whether these at-risk individuals benefit from additional intervention, such as the adminstration of low-dose atypical neuroleptics and specifically tailored behavorial intervention.

Assessment of DSM-IV personality disorders in obsessive-compulsive disorder: comparison of clinical diagnosis, self-report questionnaire, and semi-structured interview

In patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders are not many times assessed according to DSM-IV criteria. The purpose of the present study is to examine the prevalence of personality disorders diagnosed according to the DSM-IV in a severely disordered OCD population (n=65) with three different methods of assessing personality disorders (structured interview, questionnaire, and clinical diagnoses). Furthermore, correspondence between these different methods was investigated and their construct validity was examined by relating the three methods to external variables. Each method resulted in a predominance of Cluster C personality disorders, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder had the highest prevalence. However, there was generally low correspondence regarding which patient had which personality disorder. Results concerning the relation of external variables were the most promising for the structured clinical interview.

The effect of Axis II disorders on the outcome of treatment of anxiety and unipolar depressive disorders: a review

Psychiatric and other clinicians have often speculated on whether the presence of a personality disorder would indicate a poorer course of treatment for an Axis I disorder. Starting around 1990, the standardized criteria of the DSM increased interest in examining this area empirically. This report updates my previous reviews and examines other writing in this area. There is still a considerable body of evidence indicating that personality may cause a poorer treatment outcome of an Axis I disorder; however, there are also intriguing new developments. The introduction of new drug treatments that may be helpful with some dysfunctional personality traits changes some of the findings and may suggest that there may be preferential treatments for some Axis I patients with certain comorbid personality traits. (In certain cases this may apply to some specific psychotherapy techniques as well.) In addition, at times, personality traits may predict a positive outcome to treatment. This review is an attempt to bring together this diverse area and suggest where fruitful areas of research and intervention may possibly be found.

Treatment outcome for chronic PTSD among female assault victims with borderline personality characteristics: a preliminary examination

The present study examined the effect of the presence of borderline personality disorder characteristics (BPC) on patients' responses to cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic PTSD. Seventy-two female victims of sexual and non-sexual assault were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions: prolonged exposure (PE), stress inoculation training (SIT), combined treatment (PE/SIT), and wait list control (WL). Treatment consisted of nine bi-weekly individual sessions. Seventeen percent of the patients met full (10%) or partial criteria (7%) for borderline personality disorder. A greater number of patients with BPC reported sexual assault in childhood compared to those without the symptomatology. Patients with BPC also reported more pre-treatment anger. In general, those with BPC benefited significantly from treatment, although at post-treatment, they were less likely to achieve good end-state functioning than those without such symptomatology. The relationship between BPC and treatment response will be discussed.

Comorbid personality impairment in body dysmorphic disorder

Personality impairment was evaluated in 17 body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) patients undergoing a treatment study of clomipramine versus desipramine. Semistructured interviews were administered using both categorical (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM [SCID II]) and dimensional (Dimensional Assessment of Personality Impairment [DAPI]) methods. Personality measures were also correlated with a range of clinical variables (severity of BDD and depressive symptoms, age, duration of illness, and response to treatment). A secondary aim of the study was to provide preliminary validation for the DAPI. Consistent with previous studies, BDD patients showed considerable personality pathology. By SCID II, patients met criteria for a mean of 2.53 personality disorder diagnoses; 87% of patients met criteria for at least 1 diagnosis and 53% for more than 1. Cluster C diagnoses were the most common. Mean scores for the DAPI were 2.63 (3 = mild impairment) to 6.41 (7 = severe impairment), averaging 5.26 (5 = moderate). With regard to the DAPI, the results provided preliminary evidence of good reliability and validity. Moreover, both personality measures were highly intercorrelated. Although SCID II diagnoses correlated with baseline depression (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD]) scores, there were few other significant correlations between personality and other clinical variables. Of note, however, treatment responders demonstrated less personality impairment than nonresponders. The finding that personality measures were highly intercorrelated but, on the whole, not well correlated with other clinical measures supports the distinct and dissociable nature of personality phenomena in BDD. Despite the small sample size, these results suggest that personality impairment appears to be significant factor in BDD and may even play a role in treatment response.

Use of factor-analyzed symptom dimensions to predict outcome with serotonin reuptake inhibitors and placebo in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

OBJECTIVE

No consistent predictors of outcome have been identified for the pharmaco-therapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent factor analytic studies have identified meaningful symptom dimensions that may be related to response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other treatments.

METHOD

A total of 354 outpatients with primary OCD were administered the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist, and its 13 main symptom categories were factor analyzed by using principal components analysis. The identified symptom dimensions were then entered into multiple regression models as outcome predictors of response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors and placebo response in a group of 150 nondepressed subjects who completed six double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (clomipramine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine). Eighty-four patients received a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 66, placebo.

RESULTS

The principal components analysis identified five factors that explained 65.5% of variance in outcome: symmetry/ordering, hoarding, contamination/cleaning, aggressive/checking, and sexual/religious obsessions. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors were significantly superior to placebo on all outcome measures. Initial severity of OCD was related to greater posttreatment severity of OCD. Higher scores on the hoarding dimension predicted poorer outcome following treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors, after control for baseline severity. No predictors of placebo response were identified. Exclusion of clomipramine did not modify the overall results, suggesting a cross-serotonin reuptake inhibitor effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified symptom dimensions are largely congruent with those identified in earlier reports. Patients with OCD vary in their response to treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The presence of hoarding obsessions and compulsions is associated with poorer response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Effect of comorbid anxiety, depressive, and personality disorders on treatment outcome of somatoform disorders

Comorbid mental disorders of DSM-IV axis I and axis II have repeatedly been found to be a negative predictor for the treatment of axis I disorders, although recent contrary findings exist. Little is known about the effect of comorbidity on the therapy outcome of somatoform disorders. We compared three types of comorbidity, (1) personality disorders (PDs), (2) major depression (MDD) and anxiety (ANX) disorders, and (3) PDS and MDD and ANX, with regard to their relevance for the treatment outcome of somatoform disorders. One hundred twenty-six inpatients were assessed at least 4 weeks before admission to treatment, upon admission, and again at discharge. Somatoform, hypochondriacal, and depressive symptomatology, dysfunctional cognitions about body and health, dysfunctional social relationships, and other clinical characteristics were measured. Diagnostic assessments were based on the DSM-IV. Our findings suggest that none of the three types of comorbidity influence the therapy outcome of somatoform disorders or have a modifying effect on the level of psychopathology.

The impact of personality disorders on treatment outcome of anxiety disorders: best-evidence synthesis

Thirty-five studies were traced addressing the impact of comorbid personality disorders on treatment outcome of anxiety disorders. The conclusions of this review are based on the best-evidence procedure. We used two selection criteria that studies had to meet to be included in the present review. The study design had to be prospective and a (semi)structured interview had to be used for the assessment of personality disorders. From the fifteen selected studies it cannot be concluded that, in general, personality disorders affect treatment outcome for anxiety disorders negatively. We can only suspect that some personality disorders may have an adverse impact upon treatment outcome in anxiety disorders, and they should be investigated further. For the time being, in clinical practice one has to be cautious in relating personality disorders to less well treatment outcome in axis I anxiety disorders.