Preschool and current autistic symptoms in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

ObjectiveContemporaneous nosological debates include the presence of an Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorder (OCSD) group incorporating disorders as OCD, Tourette's syndrome, eating and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). If true, we propose, ASD symptoms should occur in the early childhood of OCD patients, show substantial continuity to later childhood and be present in a large proportion of cases. This study explores whether this is the case or not.MethodsPaediatric patients with OCD (n=105) according to DSM IV were studied using parent ratings of the Social Communication Questionnaire. A general population group without ASD (n=108) was used to control for ASD symptoms in the normal population.ResultsASD symptoms were more common in children with OCD than in controls (m=5.9 versus 3.1; p=.0001). However, few (one in each group) had scores in the clinical range for ASD. Symptom prevalence was low, except for symptoms that could be confused with OCD or tics. The correlation between preschool and current ASD symptoms was low.ConclusionASD symptoms in OCD as reported here do not support claims about OCD as strongly related to ASD. However, a subgroup of paediatric OCD patients has significant subclinical ASD symptom levels.

► We assessed autistic symptoms in paediatric patients with OCD compared to normal controls.
► Autistic symptoms were more common in children with OCD than in controls.
► A subgroup of OCD patients had significant ASD symptom levels, but few scored in the clinical range.
► The correlation between preschool and current autistic symptoms was low.
► Our results do not support claims about OCD as strongly related to ASD.