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OCD increases risk for mortality from natural, unnatural causes

Obsessive-compulsive disorder was associated with increased risk for mortality, which was further increased by comorbid anxiety disorders, depression or substance use disorders.

“Several mental disorders have consistently been found to be associated with a shortened life expectancy, but little is known about whether this association can also be observed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is a major mental health condition accompanied by severe distress, high levels of disability and disruption of a person’s social and occupational functioning,” Sandra M. Meier, PhD, of Aarhus University, Denmark, and colleagues wrote.

To assess mortality risk in individuals diagnosed with OCD, researchers analyzed data from Danish longitudinal registers for 3 million individuals born between 1955 and 2006. Individuals were followed from 2002 through 2011, with an average follow-up of 9.7 years.

Of the 10,155 individuals with OCD, 1.1% (n = 110) died during follow-up.

Risk for death by natural (mortality rate ratio = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.31-2.12) or unnatural (MRR = 2.61; 95% CI, 1.91-3.47) causes was significantly higher among individuals with OCD, compared with the general population.

When adjusting for comorbid anxiety disorders, depression or substance use disorders, OCD was still associated with increased risk for mortality (MRR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.27-2.67).

“We have found an increased risk of death by both natural and unnatural causes among persons with OCD. The co-occurrence of anxiety disorders or depression and substance use disorders resulted in a further increased risk of death. We found no familial confounding in mortality among persons with OCD, strengthening the hypothesis that OCD lies on the causal pathway to premature death,” the researchers wrote. “These findings represent an important first step toward identifying the underlying mechanisms for the risk of premature death among persons with OCD and stress the importance of using a thorough diagnostic process to identify comorbidities and accompanying problems.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.