The purpose of the present study was to investigate the gender-related differences of clinical features in a sample of obsessive-compulsive (OCD) patients. One hundred and sixty outpatients with a principal diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (DSM-IV, Y-BOCS = 16) were admitted. Patients were evaluated with a semi-structured interview covering the following areas: socio-demographic data, Axis I diagnoses (DSM-IV), OCD clinical features (age at onset of OC symptoms and disorder, type of onset, life events and type of course). For statistical analysis the sample was subdivided in two groups according to gender. We found an earlier age at onset of OC symptoms and disorder in males; an insidious onset and a chronic course of illness were also observed in that group of patients. Females more frequently showed an acute onset of OCD and an episodic course of illness; they also reported more frequently a stressful event in the year preceding OCD onset. A history of anxiety disorders with onset preceding OCD and hypomanic episodes occurring after OCD onset was significantly more common among males, while females showed more frequently a history of eating disorders. We found three gender-related features of OCD: males show an earlier age at onset with a lower impact of precipitant events in triggering the disorder; OCD seems to occur in a relative high proportion of males who already have phobias and/or tic disorders; and a surfeit of chronic course of the illness in males in comparison with females.

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Male PD patients seem to be characterized by more severe personality disorders, while female PD patients, particularly with co-morbid agoraphobia, have higher co-morbidity rates with personality disorders belonging to the 'anxious-fearful cluster'.

Premorbid clinical conditions of PD seem to differentiate between males and females in the role of precipitating events.

Introduction. Although several papers reported a wide range of negative outcomes among patients with both schizophrenia and SUD, only a few studies evaluated the impact of SUD on psychopathology and thus on the length of first-hospitalization. Objectives.To compare clinical expression of first-episode of schizophrenia between inpatients with and without SUD, giving close attention to the length of stay.Methods. 130 inpatients at first-episode of schizophrenia were assigned to SUD or not SUD group depending on SUD diagnosis and were assessed through BPRS at admission, during hospitalization and at discharge. Cross-sectional and longitudinal statistical analysis were performed to investigate differences between groups and also a linear regression was used to evaluate relationship between length of stay and BPRS scores.Results. During the hospitalization there was a more marked improvement of BPRS total score in patients without SUD with a lower length of hospitalization (P<0.001). BPRS score during hospitalization was predictor of higher length of stay.Discussion. The higher severity of psychopathology during the hospitalization suggest possible overlaps of substance induced and withdrawal symptoms. Conversely, higher levels of conceptual disorganization during the whole period of hospitalization also support a more severe and pharmacho-resistant expression of schizophrenia among SUD patients.