TREATMENTS USED FOR OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) – AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the different types of psychotropic medication, psychological therapies and novel therapies used in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in different countries around the world. Methods: Researchers in the field of OCD were invited to contribute summary statistics on the characteristics of their patients with OCD and the proportion of their samples that had received certain types of treatment. Consistency of summary statistics across countries was evaluated. Results: The study surveyed 19 expert centres from 15 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) with a total sample of 7340 patients with OCD. There was significant variation in the frequency of use and selection of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), other antidepressant therapy, antipsychotic medication and mood stabilisers. There was also significant variation in the use and accessibility of exposure and response prevention for OCD. Neurostimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), deep brain stimulation, gamma knife surgery and psychosurgery were used in less than 1% of the sample. Conclusions: Consistent with internationally accepted treatment guidelines for OCD, SSRIs were the most frequently used medication. The clear preference for some SSRIs and antipsychotic agents over others may indicate differences in tolerance, efficacy and/or accessibility of certain SSRIs, and this needs further evaluation. Contrary to treatment