The epidemiology of obsessive–compulsive disorder in Spanish school children

We aimed to assess the prevalence (at three levels of severity) and other epidemiological data of OCD in a sample of 1,514 Spanish non-referred children. The estimated prevalence was 1.8% for OCD, 5.5% for subclinical OCD and 4.7% for OC symptomatology. We did not find significant differences between genders or academic grade regarding OC symptoms and OCD, but more subclinical prevalence was found in males than in females. Socio-demographic variables were not related to any level of OCD, but academic performance was significantly lower in clinical OCD. The co-morbidity between OCD and any psychiatric disorder was high (85%) and higher for emotional disorders than for behavioral disorders. The impairment was associated with comorbidity and was worse for OCD with comorbid emotional problems. The results suggest that OCD is not rare in school children and adolescents and that it has an impact on their personal functioning. We suggest the possibility of an early diagnosis and treatment.

► The prevalence of OCD in Spanish non-referred children was from 1.8% to 5.5% according to three levels of severity. ► The estimated prevalence of OCD was higher than that found in latest years, and more similar to the data found by other authors in adolescents. ► We found no differences between genders in OCD prevalence. ► The comorbidity between OCD and other psychiatric disorders was high (85%) and comparable to clinical population. ► The academic performance was below the average in children with OCD.