Elevated rate of OCD-spectrum and tic disorders in patients with bipolar depression and comorbid OCD

Objectives: To evaluate whether patients with bipolar depression (BP-D) and comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have predominant aggregation of additional OCD-spectrum and tic disorders compared to their "pure" BP-D counterparts. Methods: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Axis I disorders was used to compare the rate of OCD-spectrum and tic disorders, as well as additional Axis -I comorbidities in 27 patients who met criteria for both bipolar I or II disorders, depressive episode and OCD and 43 patients with BP-D. Results: Patients with BP-D/OCD had significantly higher rates of OCD-spectrum disorders (hoarding, excoriation and body dysmorphic disorder) and tic disorders (all, p < 0.05-0.01), but not trichotillomania (p > 0.05). There were no between-group differences in the rates of substance-use, combined anxiety and eating disorders (all, p > 0.05). Conclusions: Preferential aggregation of OCD-spectrum disorders in the BP-D/OCD group provides additional support for the unique subset of patients with bipolar/OCD comorbidity.