Citation

Benatti B, Dell'osso B, Arici C, Hollander E, Altamura AC. Int. J. Psychiatry Clin. Prac. 2013; 18(3): 156-160.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/13651501.2013.855792

PMID

24151922

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Impulsivity represents a key dimension in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in relation to outcome and course. It can be assessed through the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), which explores three main areas: attentional, motor and non-planning. Present study was aimed to assess level of impulsivity in a sample of OCD patients, in comparison with healthy controls, using the BIS. METHODS: Seventy-five OCD outpatients - 48 of them having psychiatric comorbidities - and 70 healthy controls were assessed through the BIS and their scores analyzed using t-test for independent samples, on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: BIS total scores resulted significantly higher (p: 0.01) in patients compared to controls, with no difference between pure and comorbid patients. Attentional impulsivity scores were significantly higher than controls in patients with pure (p < 0.001) and comorbid OCD (p < 0.001), without differences among them. Patients with multiple OC phenotypes showed higher, though statistically non-significant, total and attentional scores, compared to single phenotype patients. In addition, patients with comorbid major depressive disorder had higher, though statistically non-significant, total and attentional scores, compared to patients with comorbid bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and other disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings showed higher impulsivity levels in OCD patients vs controls, particularly in the attentional area and ultimately suggest a potential cognitive implication.

Language: en