Examining the role of Duration of illness on the level of mental disability in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Recent literature considers duration of illness (DI) and duration of untreatedillness (DUI) as important factors influencing outcome in many psychiatric conditions. The aimof the present article is to analyze the relationship between DI and DUI, and pharmacologicalresponse in the different psychiatric disorders with particular emphasis on neurodegenerativeaspects. An updated review of the current literature was conducted through PubMed in orderto compare different studies focused on DI and DUI, and treatment response in major psychosesand in depressive/anxiety disorders. A significant body of evidence shows that a prolongedDI and DUI is associated with brain abnormalities and poor treatment response, particularly inschizophrenia. Nevertheless, an increasing number of studies point toward a similar conclusionin mood and anxiety disorders as well, even though fewer studies have been published in thisfield. The present study was undertaken to assess and compare the disability in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS). Results indicated Significant disabilityin work and global score was seen in patients of obsessive-compulsive disorder with duration of illness >5 yr. it was concluded that these illnesses affect all areas of daily functioning leading to greaterdisability, and thus increasing the burden on the family, pose greater challenge for therehabilitation of patients and their inclusion in the mainstream of the family and society. Furtherstudies on a larger sample need to be done to confirm the finding.

Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale, duration of illness, disability.