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Co-Occurring Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Clinical Features and Psychiatric Comorbidities

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Abstract

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) commonly co-occurs with other psychiatric conditions. Though research is limited, there is preliminary evidence that OCD also co-occurs with compulsive sexual behavior (CSB). Yet, few studies have investigated the demographic, clinical, and psychiatric comorbidities associated with co-occurring OCD and CSB. To address this gap, the current study aimed to evaluate rates of co-occurring OCD and CSB, identify demographic and clinical factors associated with comorbid OCD and CSB, and assess associated psychiatric comorbidity. Participants (N = 950) were patients of a large multisite treatment for OCD. Standardized self-report measures were used to assess demographic and clinical characteristics such as anxiety, depression, and severity and dimensions of OCD. Semi-structured interviews including the SCID were used to assess psychiatric comorbidities. A total of 36 (3.8%) of participants met the criteria for CSB. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that males were significantly more likely to present with CSB than females and CSB was associated with greater psychiatric comorbidity, particularly impulse control disorders. These findings suggest that individuals with co-occurring OCD and CSB may have more complex treatment needs, and more tailored interventions may be necessary.

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Data Availability

The data have not been deposited to a repository as we did not have informed consent from participants. However, the data underlying the present research will be made available upon request pending approval from the institutional research ethics board.

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Funding

This study was unfunded.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

LAS, HSK, MDTS contributed to study concept and design. LAS, HSK, MDTS, YAF, LFF, ECM, and MAM contributed to analysis and interpretation of results. LAS contributed to statistical analysis. HSK supervised the study. HSK, MDTS, YAF, LFF, ECM, and MAM edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyoun S. Kim.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose.

Ethical Approval

Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of Toronto Metropolitan University. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Snaychuk, L.A., Ferrão, Y.A., Fontenelle, L.F. et al. Co-Occurring Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and Compulsive Sexual Behavior: Clinical Features and Psychiatric Comorbidities. Arch Sex Behav 51, 4111–4123 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02412-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02412-6

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