Background: Despite the worldwide relevance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) there are considerable differences in prevalence rates and gender ratios between the studies and a substantial lack of prevalence data on subclinical OCD. Moreover, data on quality of life and on psychosocial function of subjects with OCD and subclinical OCD in the general population are missing to date.
Methods: German versions of the DSM-IV adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview were administered to a representative sample of 4075 persons aged 18-64 years living in a northern German region. Specific DSM-IV based criteria for subclinical OCD were used.
Results: The life-time prevalence rates for OCD and subclinical OCD were 0.5% and 2%, respectively. Twelve month prevalence rates were 0.39% and 1.6%, respectively. The gender female:male ratio was 5.7 in OCD and 1.2 in subclinical OCD. In various measures of psychosocial function and quality of life, OCD and subclinical OCD were significantly impaired. However, subclinical OCD subjects did not visit mental health professionals more often than controls.
Conclusion: Due to different epidemiological characteristics subclinical OCD might represent a syndrome distinct from OCD which is also associated with significant impairments in personal and interpersonal functions and in quality of life.