Quality of Life for Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Panic Disorder

Son, Sang Joon; Kim, Se Joo; Kim, Chan Hyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD) and healthy controls. Additionally, relationship between clinical factors in patients and their QOL were explored.
METHODS
49 patients with OCD, 109 patients with PD and 54 healthy controls were recruited. Total scores and scores of each domain of WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL) were compared in the three groups. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed to examine the relationship between QOL and the clinical characteristics in the patient group.
RESULTS
Total scores and scores of all domains except environmental domain of WHOQOL in patient group were decreased compared to those in healthy control. Scores of social and psychological domains in the OCD group were lower than those in the PD group. The severity of agoraphobia and depression were factors affecting the QOL in the PD group. For the OCD group, comorbid depression was related to social and psychological domain of WHOQOL.
CONCLUSION
QOL in patients with OCD and PD was poorer than that of healthy controls. Social relationships and psychological functioning may be poorer in patients with OCD than patients with PD. The severity of depression and agoraphobia predicted QOL in patients with PD. Comorbid depression in OCD might be a predictor of poor QOL.