Personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Background: Little is known about personality disorders and normal personality dimensions in relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Aims: To determine whether specific personality characteristics are part of a familial spectrum of OCD.

Method: Clinicians evaluated personality disorders in 72 OCD case and 72 control probands and 198 case and 207 control first-degree relatives. The selfcompleted Revised NEO Personality Inventory was used for assessment of normal personality dimensions. The prevalence of personality disorders and scores on normal personality dimensions were compared between case and control probands and between case and control relatives.

Results: Case probands and case relatives had a high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and high neuroticism scores. Neuroticism was associated with OCPD in case but not control relatives.

Conclusions: Neuroticism and OCPD may share a common familial aetiology with OCD.