# Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents

## Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects the clinical expression and outcome of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a clinical sample. Method: A consecutive series of 94 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.6 ± 2.8 years) with current diagnosis of OCD were included in the study. Twenty-four (25.5%) patients were diagnosed as having a comorbid ADHD. Subjects with OCD plus ADHD were compared with subjects with OCD but without ADHD. Results: Comorbid ADHD with OCD was significantly associated with a higher rate of males, an earlier onset of OCD, a greater psychosocial impairment, and a heavier comorbidity, namely, with bipolar disorder, tic disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder. Phenomenology of obsessions and compulsions and outcome were not affected by ADHD comorbidity. Conclusions: A screening for ADHD should be performed in patients with OCD, as these patients and their parents are frequently not aware that the impairment may be partly due to a comorbid ADHD.

Original language| English  
---|---  
Pages (from-to)| 42-47  
Number of pages| 6  
Journal| Comprehensive Psychiatry  
Volume| 47  
Issue number| 1  
DOIs| 

  * https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.04.008

  
Publication status| Published - Jan 2006  
  
## ASJC Scopus subject areas

  * Psychiatry and Mental health
  * Biological Psychiatry
  * Psychology(all)



##  Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint. 

  * Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Comorbidity Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Child Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Tic Disorders Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Obsessive Behavior Medicine & Life Sciences
  * Conduct Disorder Medicine & Life Sciences



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Masi, G., Millepiedi, S., Mucci, M., Bertini, N., Pfanner, C., & Arcangeli, F. (2006). Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents. _Comprehensive Psychiatry_ , _47_(1), 42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.04.008

**Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents.** / Masi, Gabriele; Millepiedi, Stefania; Mucci, Maria; Bertini, Nicoletta; Pfanner, Chiara; Arcangeli, Francesca.

In: Comprehensive Psychiatry, Vol. 47, No. 1, 01.2006, p. 42-47.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Masi, G, Millepiedi, S, Mucci, M, Bertini, N, Pfanner, C & Arcangeli, F 2006, 'Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents', _Comprehensive Psychiatry_ , vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.04.008

Masi G, Millepiedi S, Mucci M, Bertini N, Pfanner C, Arcangeli F. Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2006 Jan;47(1):42-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.04.008

Masi, Gabriele ; Millepiedi, Stefania  ; Mucci, Maria ; Bertini, Nicoletta  ; Pfanner, Chiara ; Arcangeli, Francesca. / **Comorbidity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in referred children and adolescents**. In: Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2006 ; Vol. 47, No. 1. pp. 42-47.

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abstract = "Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects the clinical expression and outcome of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a clinical sample. Method: A consecutive series of 94 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.6 ± 2.8 years) with current diagnosis of OCD were included in the study. Twenty-four (25.5%) patients were diagnosed as having a comorbid ADHD. Subjects with OCD plus ADHD were compared with subjects with OCD but without ADHD. Results: Comorbid ADHD with OCD was significantly associated with a higher rate of males, an earlier onset of OCD, a greater psychosocial impairment, and a heavier comorbidity, namely, with bipolar disorder, tic disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder. Phenomenology of obsessions and compulsions and outcome were not affected by ADHD comorbidity. Conclusions: A screening for ADHD should be performed in patients with OCD, as these patients and their parents are frequently not aware that the impairment may be partly due to a comorbid ADHD.",

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AB - Objective: The aim of this study was to explore whether comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects the clinical expression and outcome of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a clinical sample. Method: A consecutive series of 94 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.6 ± 2.8 years) with current diagnosis of OCD were included in the study. Twenty-four (25.5%) patients were diagnosed as having a comorbid ADHD. Subjects with OCD plus ADHD were compared with subjects with OCD but without ADHD. Results: Comorbid ADHD with OCD was significantly associated with a higher rate of males, an earlier onset of OCD, a greater psychosocial impairment, and a heavier comorbidity, namely, with bipolar disorder, tic disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder. Phenomenology of obsessions and compulsions and outcome were not affected by ADHD comorbidity. Conclusions: A screening for ADHD should be performed in patients with OCD, as these patients and their parents are frequently not aware that the impairment may be partly due to a comorbid ADHD.

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