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Cited by 141Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Gender in obsessive–compulsive disorder: clinical and genetic findings

Lochner, Christine, Hemmings, Sian M.J., Kinnear, Craig J., Moolman-Smook, Johanna C., Corfield, Valerie A., Knowles, James A., Niehaus, Dana J.H., Stein, Dan J.·2004·European Neuropsychopharmacology
DOI 10.1016/s0924-977x(03)00063-4
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Abstract

Background There is increasing recognition that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not a homogeneous entity. It has been suggested that gender may contribute to the clinical and biological heterogeneity of OCD.Methods Two hundred and twenty patients (n=220; 107 male, 113 female) with DSM-IV OCD (age: 36.40+/-13.46) underwent structured interviews. A subset of Caucasian subjects (n=178), including subjects from the genetically homogeneous Afrikaner population (n=81), and of matched control subjects (n=161), was genotyped for polymorphisms in genes involved in monoamine function. Clinical and genetic data were statistically analyzed across gender.Results Compared with females, males with OCD (1) had an earlier age of onset, and a trend toward having more tics and worse outcome, (2) had somewhat differing patterns of OCD symptomatology and axis I comorbidity, and (3) in the Caucasian group, were more likely to have the high activity T allele of the EcoRV variant of the monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) gene compared to controls, and (4) in the Afrikaner subgroup, were more frequently homozygous for the C allele at the G861C variant of the 5HT(1D beta) gene than controls. Females with OCD (1) reported more sexual abuse during childhood than males, (2) often noted changes in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the premenstrual/menstrual period as well as during/shortly after pregnancy, and with menopause, and (3) in the Caucasian subgroup, were more frequently homozygous for the low activity C allele of the EcoRV variant of the MAO-A gene compared to controls, with this allele also more frequent in female patients than controls.Conclusion This study supports the hypothesis that gender contributes to the clinical and biological heterogeneity of OCD. A sexually dimorphic pattern of genetic susceptibility to OCD may be present. Further work is, however, needed to delineate the mechanisms that are responsible for mediating the effects of gender.

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Authors
Lochner, C., Hemmings, S. M. J., Kinnear, C. J., Moolman-Smook, J. C., Corfield, V. A., Knowles, J. A., Niehaus, D. J. H., & Stein, D. J.
Affiliations
  • Stellenbosch University (ZA)
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
ORCID
Venue
European Neuropsychopharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-03
Volume
14
Issue
2
Pages
105-113
ISSN
0924-977X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0924-977x(03)00063-4
OpenAlex
W2073715978
Cited by
141
References
99
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI
6.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • European Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
obsessive-compulsive disorder, gender differences, sexual dimorphism, monoamine oxidase A, genetic susceptibility, age of onset, tics, Axis I comorbidity, child sexual abuse, Afrikaner population, clinical heterogeneity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Cysteine, Female, Gene Frequency, Genotype, Glycine, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Monoamine Oxidase, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Polymorphism, Genetic, Pregnancy, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Quality of Life, Serotonin, Sex Characteristics, South Africa, Genetic Variation, Comorbidity, Case-Control Studies, Age of Onset, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1D

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