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Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Medical Students: Prevalence, Severity, and Correlates

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Abstract

Objectives

The study aims were to estimate the prevalence and correlates of symptoms suggestive of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among medical students and investigate the severity and correlates of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom (OCS) dimensions in this population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study with 471 Brazilian medical students, who were assessed using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). The main outcomes were “probable OCD” (OCI-R score >27) and overall/dimensional OCI-R scores. Sociodemographic data, depressive symptoms, and several aspects of academic life were also investigated. Bivariate analyses were followed by regression models.

Results

Eighteen (3.8 %) participants presented probable OCD, which was associated with depression. The mean OCI-R score was 8.9, and greater overall severity was independently associated with being a freshman, difficulty in adaptation, and depressive symptoms. Higher scores in the “checking” and “washing” dimensions were associated with being a freshman, in the “neutralization” and “ordering” dimensions with adaptation difficulties, and in the “hoarding” dimension with adaptation difficulties and depressive symptoms. The “obsession” dimension was associated with being a freshman, difficulty making friends, depressive symptoms, and psychological/psychiatric treatment.

Conclusions

Probable OCD is more frequent in medical students than in the general population and is associated with depressive symptoms. Efforts are required to identify OCS in this population, particularly among first-year students and to provide treatment, when necessary. Institutional programs that properly receive freshmen, enhancing their integration with other colleagues and their adaptation to the city, may decrease the level of stress and, consequently, OCS severity.

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Disclosure

This study has received financial support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant number 21832–9, 2011, in the name of the coauthor MCPL). The student BLC received a 1-year scholarship from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq—Institutional Program for Undergraduate Research Grants, PIBIC), Brazil. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Univ Estadual Paulista—UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil

    Albina R. Torres, Bruna L. Cruz, Henrique C. Vicentini, Maria Cristina P. Lima & Ana Teresa A. Ramos-Cerqueira

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  1. Albina R. Torres
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  2. Bruna L. Cruz
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  3. Henrique C. Vicentini
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  4. Maria Cristina P. Lima
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  5. Ana Teresa A. Ramos-Cerqueira
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Correspondence to Albina R. Torres.

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Torres, A.R., Cruz, B.L., Vicentini, H.C. et al. Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Medical Students: Prevalence, Severity, and Correlates. Acad Psychiatry 40, 46–54 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0357-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0357-2

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