The prevalence and clinical features of amphetamine-induced obsessive compulsive disorder

• We investigated the prevalence and clinical features of amphetamine-induced OCD.
• Prevalence was 6.9%, significantly higher than in the general population of either Western countries (2.3%) or Iran (1,8%).
• No socio-demographic or illness-related predictors were found.
• It remains unclear why amphetamine-abuse triggers OCD in some amphetamine-abusers.

BackgroundAmphetamine abuse is increasing worldwide, and the occurrence of amphetamine-induced (AI) psychiatric issues further complicates treatment. In response, the DSM 5 has introduced the classification of amphetamine-induced obsessive–compulsive disorders (AI-OCD), though little has been published on either its prevalence rates or its clinical features. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the prevalence of AI-OCD, to describe patients' clinical features, and to compare the prevalence rate among such patients with those for OCD in the general population in Western countries and Iran.MethodsA total of 547 patients with amphetamine abuse or dependency and with a positive urine test (mean age: 31.64 years; 75.5% males) took part in the study. A psychiatric interview was carried out, covering both socio-demographic and illness-related information.Results18 (3.3%) patients suffered from OCD prior to amphetamine abuse, 491 (89.8%) had no OCD, and 38 (6.9%) suffered from AI-OCD. Neither socio-demographic nor illness-related dimensions predicted patients with diagnosed AI-OCD. The prevalence of AI-OCD was significantly higher than that for OCD in the general population (2.3% in Western countries, 1.8% in Iran).ConclusionsData suggest that prevalence rate of AI-OCD is about 7%. Neither socio-demographic nor illness-related dimensions predicted the occurrence of AI-OCD. Thus, it remains unclear why some amphetamine abusers develop AI-OCD while others do not.