In Vivo Measurement of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms Using Palmtop Computers

We used palmtop computers to gather in vivo self-report data on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms and other environmental and mood variables from 13 outpatients with OCD. The study participants carried palmtop computers with them for a period of 3 days. The computers beeped hourly between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., prompting participants to complete a computer-based questionnaire which included a modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The data were examined for evidence of circadian patterns in symptom intensity. No such patterns were evident. Several hypotheses regarding associations among symptoms of OCD, mood, and environmental factors were tested with mixed results. Data collected via computer-administered Y-BOCS questionnaires showed only moderate agreement with data from clinician-administered Y-BOCS interviews. Several problems in the design of the study were evident in hindsight. These problems are discussed and suggestions for the design of future studies and data-collection software are offered. The methods employed in this study could be adapted for research into other areas of normal and pathological psychological functioning. Furthermore, these methods may prove useful as fine-grained assessment tools in clinical settings. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder

The construct of quality of life (QOL), which has both subjective and objective components, has gained increasing importance in psychiatric research for several important reasons, not the least being the current importance of pharmacoeconomic issues. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been suggested to be the world's 10th most disabling disorder, and pharmacoeconomic studies have indicated that its cost to the world economy runs into the billions of dollars. The use of QOL scales derived from general medicine and other areas of psychiatry has demonstrated the enormous negative impact of OCD on several domains, including occupational function, social function, and family function. Further work to ascertain the extent of changes in QOL during treatment of OCD is necessary.Articl

Quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder

The construct of quality of life (QOL), which has both subjective and objective components, has gained increasing importance in psychiatric research for several important reasons, not the least being the current importance of pharmacoeconomic issues. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been suggested to be the world's 10th most disabling disorder, and pharmacoeconomic studies have indicated that its cost to the world economy runs into the billions of dollars. The use of QOL scales derived from general medicine and other areas of psychiatry has demonstrated the enormous negative impact of OCD on several domains, including occupational function, social function, and family function. Further work to ascertain the extent of changes in QOL during treatment of OCD is necessary.Articl