Comorbidity of obsessive‐compulsive disorders and duration of eating disorders

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Abstract
Objective This study explored the comorbidity of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (ED) and examined the relationship between OCD comorbidity and the duration of ED. Subjects with OCD were expected to show a longer history of ED. Method ED females (N = 237; 84 with anorexia nervosa and 153 with bulimia nervosa) were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I disorders (SCID‐1). Data were analyzed by logistic regression to determine whether OCD comorbidity is associated with duration of ED. Results The total sample showed a prevalence rate for OCD of 29.5%. OCD prevalence did not differ between anorexic and bulimic subjects. OCD comorbidity was significantly associated with a longer history of ED. Conclusion The findings of the study support previous research indicating a high comorbidity of ED with OCD. The results also suggest that OCD may play a role in the course of ED. Prospective studies are necessary to examine this hypothesis further. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 31: 284–289, 2002; DOI 10.1002/eat.10013