Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the symptomatology and routine of medicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Objectives: To study the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the routine of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and changes in symptoms and suicidal-related behavior, mainly in those with cleaning symptoms.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 58 patients completed an online self-report questionnaire that included the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Coronavirus Stress and Traumatic Events Scale, Coronavirus Health Impact Survey, Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression inventories, and Suicide-Related Behaviors Questionnaire. Comparisons were made with another pre-pandemic sample (n=524) regarding the last three measures.

Results: During the pandemic, the patients spent more days inside their homes (χ² = 33.39, p = 0.007), changed their alcohol consumption patterns (χ² = 87.6, p < 0.001), and increased social media usage (χ² = 68.83, p < 0.001). Participants with cleaning symptoms did not significantly differ from the others in relation to stress, anxiety/depressive symptoms, or suicidal-related behaviors. Finally, our sample did not differ from an equivalent OCD sample assessed before the pandemic in terms of anxiety and depressive symptom severity or suicidal-related behaviors.

Conclusion: Overall, patients with OCD showed no lifestyle changes associated with higher stress levels during the pandemic. Patients with and without cleaning symptoms and patients before and during the pandemic presented similar results.

Keywords: COVID-19; OCD; suicide; symptomatology.

Figure 1. Coronavirus Health Impact Survey (CRISIS) results comparing patient lifestyles during and 3 months before the pandemic: A) Days participants stayed away from home (p = 0.007). B) Alcohol use (p < 0.001). C) Social media use (p < 0.001).