Gender differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition, in which subtypes have been proposed. Previous studies suggested that gender plays a relevant role in OCD phenotypic expression. This study aimed to review the literature on gender differences in clinical, genetic or familial aspects of OCD. Method: A conventional review was conducted, including all papers that investigated demographic, clinical, and genetic aspects of OCD according to gender. The search was based on data available in Medline and PsycINFO databases in the last 20 years, using as keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder; and: gender, sex, male, female, demographic characteristics, clinical features, clinical characteristics, genetic, genes, genetics gender OCD, genes OCD, genes OCD males, genes OCD females. Results: Sixty three of 487 phenotypical and genetics studies were selected. Most studies indicate that male patients are more likely than females to be single, present early onset of symptoms and chronic course of the disorder, greater social impairment, more sexual-religious and aggressive symptoms, and greater comorbidity with tic and substance use disorders. Female patients present more contamination/cleaning symptoms and greater comorbidity with eating and impulse-control disorders. Genetic and family studies are inconclusive, but suggest that gender may play a role in the disease expression. Conclusions: Gender is a relevant factor that should be taken into account when evaluating OCD patients. More studies are necessary to determine whether in fact it defines a homogeneous and particular group in OCD. ©2011 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved. Gender differences in obsessive- DesCRIPToRs:Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Gender identity; Sex; Phenotype; Genetics. ReVIeW ARTICLe 391Gender differences in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a literature review Diferenças de gênero no transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo: uma revisão da literatura ResumoIntrodução: O transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) é um quadro heterogêneo, no qual subtipos têm sido propostos. Estudos anteriores sugerem que gênero desempenha papel relevante na expressão fenotípica. O objetivo foi realizar uma revisão convencional da literatura sobre diferenças de gênero em relação a aspectos clínicos e genéticos ou familiares do TOC. Método: Realizou-se uma revisão convencional da literatura incluindo todos os artigos que investigaram aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos e genéticos do TOC, de acordo com o gênero. A pesquisa foi baseada em publicações disponíveis nas bases de dados Medline e PsycInfo nos últimos 20 anos, usando como palavras-chave: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), e: gender, sex, male, female, demographic characteristics, clinical features, clinical characteristics, genetic, genes, genetics gender OCD, genes OCD, genes OCD males, genes OCD females. Resultado: Sessenta e três artigos de fenótipo e genética foram selecionados. Na maioria dos estudos, o sexo masculino associou-se mais que o feminino com: ser solteiro, ap...

Population-Based, Multigenerational Family Clustering Study of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

“…While men and women with OCD differ on several clinical variables, such as predominant symptom dimensions and comorbidities, 28 our results suggest that the familial risk for OCD is comparable in male and female probands regardless of the sex of the relative. Furthermore, our twin analyses showed no evidence of qualitative or quantitative sex differences in the heritability of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.…”

Sex differences in animal models of psychiatric disorders

“…By contrast, women present more contamination obsessions and cleaning rituals, whereas sexual obsessions are more common among men. Generally OCD in men has a greater impact on several domains of functioning affecting social adjustment and interpersonal relationships more than in women (Mathis et al, 2011). Several genetic, pharmacological and behavioural models exist for OCD, but most of them have not been validated for female animals (Joel, 2006; Albelda and Joel, 2012a,b) (Table 8).…”

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescents: a population-based study

“…With regard to gender, whereas OCD similarly affects adult males and females, with a slight female predominance, in childhood and adolescence prevalence tends to be higher among male individuals, possibly as a result of an earlier disease onset in boys. 9 The clinical manifestations of OCD are very heterogeneous, with significant symptomatic variations. Patients often present more than one type of symptom.…”