Introduction Comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is common in bipolar disorder (BD). Clinical characteristics, functionality and familial pattern of this comorbidity are largely understudied. Objective To assess clinical profile, familial loading of psychiatric disorders and level of functioning in remitted BD patients who have comorbid OCD and to compare results with those of remitted BD patients without OCD. Methods Remitted BD-I subjects were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS). BD patients with and without OCD were compared. Group differences were analyzed using the chi-square test and the independent samples t test. Values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Of the 90 remitted BD-I patients, 35.5% (n=32) had obsessive-compulsive symptoms/OCD. The BD-OCD group showed significantly lower GAF scores, higher rates of suicidal attempts, hospitalizations, manic and depressive episodes compared to the group with BD only (p<0.05). In addition, first and second-degree relatives had higher rates of BD-OCD and OCD, but not of BD. Conclusions BD-OCD is characterized by more severe BD, more dysfunction and higher familial loading of BD-OCD and OCD. Larger studies involving relatives of probands will help to confirm our findings and to delineate nosological status of BD-OCD comorbidity.

BACKGROUNDOpioid dependence is a major public health problem in Kerala. Presence of psychiatric disorder among opioid dependent patients worsens the scenario. To date no attempts have been made to analyse the magnitude and pattern of comorbid psychiatric disorders in the state.

BACKGROUNDAdolescence is a period when individuals become independent from their parents. The period of adolescence itself is recognized as a period of 'stress and storm'. Stressful life events of both major and minor magnitude in the lives of adolescents are significantly related to their emotional behavioural problems. Studies on prevalence and pattern of stressors in adolescents using semi structured interview techniques and sound methodology is limited in developing countries. Knowing the magnitude of problem will help us in policy making.

Background: Studies on prevalence and pattern of psychiatric disorders in adolescents using semi structured interview techniques and sound methodology is limited in developing countries. Knowing the magnitude of problem will help us for policy making. Aim: To study the prevalence and types of psychiatric disorders in school going adolescents Methods and materials: Adolescents from 8th, 9th and 10th standards of four schools in two districts of Kerala were selected by random sampling method. Students with Children Behaviour Questionnaire score (CBQ) more than 9 and their parents were evaluated using DISC-C and DISC-P for psychiatric disorders. Results: 38.3% of disturbed adolescents had psychiatric disorders. Most common psychiatric disorder was conduct disorder (12.5%) followed by oppositional defiant disorder (8.3%), depressive disorder (5%), generalized anxiety disorder (5%) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (3.3%) Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent in school going adolescents in India. Such a high prevalence should be tackled using appropriate treatment and preventive strategies.