The COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder: a systematic review of comparisons between males and females

Abstract

Objective: Coronavirus disease, one of the most disastrous epidemics, has caused a worldwide crisis, and the containment measures applied to decelerate the progression of the pandemic can increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Identifying vulnerable groups in this area can lead us to better resource expenditure, and therefore, this systematic review aims to make a comparison between males and females to determine which of the two groups was most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic regarding OCD. Also, a meta-analysis was designed to investigate the prevalence of OCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted among three databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) until August 2021 which resulted in 197 articles, and 24 articles met our inclusion criteria. Results: Overall, more than half of the articles stated the role of gender in OCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several articles emphasized the role of the female gender, and some others the role of the male gender. The meta-analysis revealed a 41.2% overall prevalence of OCD during the COVID pandemic and 47.1% and 39.1% OCD prevalence for female and male genders respectively. However, the difference between the two genders was not statistically significant. Conclusion: It seems that females are at greater risk of OCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the following groups, the female gender may have acted as a risk factor: under-18 years students, hospital staff, and the studies in the Middle East. In none of the categories, male gender was clearly identified as a risk factor.

Navigating the complexity of COVID-19: a multifaceted examination

“…Genetic factors, age, immune status, health, and disease stage all influence this inflammatory response. Effectively managing inflammation has emerged as a vital strategy for reducing morbidity and mortality across all stages of COVID-19.OCD and Gender Disparities The pandemic's impact extends to the realm of mental health, including a potential risk of OCD, as elucidated in a systematic review (Jalalifar et al, 2023). This analysis reveals that COVID-19 and its containment measures may heighten the risk of OCD, with females appearing particularly susceptible.…”

“…OCD and Gender Disparities The pandemic’s impact extends to the realm of mental health, including a potential risk of OCD, as elucidated in a systematic review (Jalalifar et al, 2023). This analysis reveals that COVID-19 and its containment measures may heighten the risk of OCD, with females appearing particularly susceptible.…”