Obsessive Compulsive Disorder During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): 2- and 6-Month Follow-Ups in a Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Psychiatric patients are perceived to be especially vulnerable during a pandemic, as it increases stress and uncertainty. Several current publications have considered obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients to be particularly vulnerable during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and clinicians were advised to adjust treatments accordingly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 2- and 6-month impacts of COVID-19 on the symptom severity of OCD patients. Methods A cohort of OCD patients actively treated with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) combined with pharmacological treatment was evaluated as part of their regular psychiatric assessment twice: 113 patients were evaluated at their 2-month follow-up and 90 patients (from that cohort) were evaluated at their 6-month follow up. Results Obsessive-compulsive symptom deterioration was not present in 84% of the patients at the 2-month follow-up and 96% of the patients at the 6-month follow-up. The results were also replicated in the OCD subgroup that included patients with contamination (washers) and illness obsessions, who were believed to be particularly vulnerable considering their obsessional content. Conclusions OCD patients (including those with obsessions related to contamination and health) who were under active ERP and pharmacological treatment did not experience exacerbated symptoms during COVID-19 at their 2- and 6-month follow-ups.