Epidemiologia do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo: uma revisão
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Data
2005-09-01
Autores
Torres, Albina Rodrigues [UNESP]
Lima, Maria Cristina Pereira [UNESP]
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Editor
Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria - ABP
Resumo
Os inquéritos populacionais são importantes, pois amostras clínicas tendem a apresentar vieses de seleção. Aspectos sociodemográficos e relacionados à própria condição mórbida podem interferir na procura por tratamento. Pela natureza egodistônica do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, seus portadores tendem a ocultar o problema, podendo não procurar ou demorar a procurar tratamento. Porém, a maior parte do conhecimento atual sobre o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo advém de amostras clínicas, que não representam a totalidade dos casos. Foi feita uma revisão convencional da literatura através do Medline, PsicoInfo e Lilacs de inquéritos populacionais sobre o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, cobrindo o período de 1980 a 2004, utilizando-se como palavras-chave epidemiologia, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, inquéritos populacionais e prevalência. Estudos realizados em diferentes países indicam para o transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo uma prevalência atual em torno de 1,0% e ao longo da vida de 2,0 a 2,5%. Diferentemente de amostras clínicas, em quase todas as amostras populacionais há predomínio de mulheres e portadores que têm apenas obsessões. A freqüente comorbidade com outros transtornos mentais, particularmente depressão e outros transtornos ansiosos, repete-se em casos da população geral, que apresentam ainda uma associação com abuso de substâncias. Muitos portadores não estão em tratamento, particularmente os casos puros. Indicadores de incapacitação funcional demonstram um considerável impacto negativo do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo. É preciso melhorar o conhecimento da população e dos profissionais de saúde sobre os sintomas do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo para aumentar a procura de atendimento, assim como a correta identificação e abordagem terapêutica deste grave problema de saúde.
Epidemiological surveys are important because clinical samples are subject of several selection biases. Sociodemographic factors and clinical aspects of the morbid condition itself influence help seeking behaviors. Due to the egodystonic nature of obsessive-compulsive disorder, sufferers tend to hide their symptoms and avoid or delay treatment seeking. However, most of our current knowledge about obsessive-compulsive disorder is based on clinical samples, which do not represent the totality of cases. A conventional Medline, PsychoInfo and Lilacs review of epidemiological studies on obsessive-compulsive disorder from 1980 to 2004 was conducted, using the following keywords: epidemiology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, populational surveys and prevalence. Studies from different countries show an average point-prevalence of 1% and lifetime prevalence of 2-2.5% for obsessive-compulsive disorder. In contrast with clinical samples, most populational samples have a predominance of females and cases with only obsessions. The frequent comorbidity with other mental disorders, particularly depression and other anxiety disorders, has also been found in cases from the community, which have an association with substances misuse as well. Many sufferers are not been treated, particularly the pure cases. Indicators of functional incapacitation show a considerable negative impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is necessary to increase the awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in the community and among health professionals, in order to increase help seeking, as well as the proper identification and treatment of this rather serious medical condition.
Epidemiological surveys are important because clinical samples are subject of several selection biases. Sociodemographic factors and clinical aspects of the morbid condition itself influence help seeking behaviors. Due to the egodystonic nature of obsessive-compulsive disorder, sufferers tend to hide their symptoms and avoid or delay treatment seeking. However, most of our current knowledge about obsessive-compulsive disorder is based on clinical samples, which do not represent the totality of cases. A conventional Medline, PsychoInfo and Lilacs review of epidemiological studies on obsessive-compulsive disorder from 1980 to 2004 was conducted, using the following keywords: epidemiology, obsessive-compulsive disorder, populational surveys and prevalence. Studies from different countries show an average point-prevalence of 1% and lifetime prevalence of 2-2.5% for obsessive-compulsive disorder. In contrast with clinical samples, most populational samples have a predominance of females and cases with only obsessions. The frequent comorbidity with other mental disorders, particularly depression and other anxiety disorders, has also been found in cases from the community, which have an association with substances misuse as well. Many sufferers are not been treated, particularly the pure cases. Indicators of functional incapacitation show a considerable negative impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is necessary to increase the awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in the community and among health professionals, in order to increase help seeking, as well as the proper identification and treatment of this rather serious medical condition.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, Transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo, Inquéritos de morbidade, Acesso aos serviços de saúde, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Morbidity survey, Health services accessibility
Como citar
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria. Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria - ABP, v. 27, n. 3, p. 237-242, 2005.