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Gender-Divergent Aetiological Factors in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Homa F. Noshirvani ,
Yiannis Kasvikis ,
Isaac M. Marks ,
Fivos Tsakiris  and
William O. Monteiro
Homa F. Noshirvani*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Yiannis Kasvikis
Affiliation:
Centre of Psychological Hygiene, 58 Notana Street, Athens, TK 10683, Ex-Research Worker, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Isaac M. Marks
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Fivos Tsakiris
Affiliation:
Dromokaito Hospital, Athens, Greece
William O. Monteiro
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
∗Maudsley Hospital, 99 Denmark Hill, London SE5
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Abstract

Among 307 adults with OCD, early onset (age 5–15 years) was more common in men and later onset (age 26–35 years) in women. Early onset was associated with more checking, and late onset with more washing. More women than men had a history of treated depression; 12% of the women but none of the men had a history of anorexia. More women than men were married. Gender-divergent features may reflect differential aetiological factors. Our sample resembled others in the literature in its slight overall female preponderance, low rate of marriage and low fertility, onset mainly before age 35 years, chronicity, and common present and past depression.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 158 , Issue 2 , February 1991 , pp. 260 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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