The study's aim was the comparison of OCD patients treated with Sertraline toward those treated with Clomipramine, divided in two subgroups with gender related symptoms differences.

The study was focused on the inpatients and outpatients presented at Psychiatric Clinic, diagnosed with OCD during September 2005-March 2006. The criteria of being selected were randomization of those with > 20 points according to Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and > 4 points according to Clinical Global Impression Scale. There were two groups: first group was treated with clomipramine and the second with sertraline. Sertraline doses were 50 and 200 mg/day and clomipramine 100, 125 and 150 mg/day. The study was conducted during a period of 12 weeks including three evaluations through YBO C scale and CGI.

91.8% of the patients completed the study. Men had a higher frequency of sexual symptoms, symmetry and exacteness obsessions, while women suffered a later onset of the disorder and presented a higher rate of aggressive obsessions. The patients treated with sertraline reported less side effects frequency and intensity and more tolerance than the patients treated with clomipramine.

Both treatments showed therapeutic efficacy in treating the OCD symptoms, but depends on symptoms and gender. Clomipramine caused more side effects and the number of patients dismissed from the study was higher in the group of clomipramine. Sertraline is as effective as clomipramine for treating the OCD but has more compliance and less side effects.