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Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of OCD Patients and live-in Family Members

Completed
Conditions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Interventions
Other: Y-BOCS or FAS online survey, interview
Registration Number
NCT05656456
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Ghent
Brief Summary

The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. This longitudinal study investigates the prevalence of mental health problems (obsessive compulsive, or depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress...) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients and their live-in family members. We also aim to investigate the impact of the pandemic, isolation measures, exposure to media and changing therapeutic setting in OCD patients and their live-in family members through qualitative research.

Detailed Description

The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. Previous studies during the SARS outbreak demonstrated a significant burden and increase of mental health problems in people with preexisting psychiatric problems, but little is known about the impact on preexisting obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This longitudinal study aims to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems of OCD patients during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. We also want to investigate the impact on family accommodation (FA). There is growing evidence that FA maintains and/or facilitates OCD symptoms. OCD patients and their live-in family members, followed at the Centre for OCD of the Ghent university hospital, will be included. Sociodemographic data, data regarding employment and previous mental health problems will be collected at the first survey. The Y-BOCS (OCD symtoms) and FAS (family accommodation) will be taken from patients and family members respectively at the start, after 1, 3 and 6 months. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Dutch translation of the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) will be administered at the same time points through an online survey.

Secondly, patients and live-in family members will be interviewed about their experiences concerning the covid pandemic, the isolation measures, media exposure and change of mental health practice and the impact on the OCD (qualitative research).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
75
Inclusion Criteria
  • OCD patients
  • live-in family members of OCD patients
Exclusion Criteria
  • not speaking fluently Dutch

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
OCD patientsY-BOCS or FAS online survey, interviewPatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder
live-in family membersY-BOCS or FAS online survey, interviewLive-in family members of OCD patients
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Family accommodation in family members at baselineBaseline

FA as measured by the family accommodation scale (FAS)

Change in OCD symptoms in patientsBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS

Change in family accommodation in family membersBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

FA as measured by the family accommodation scale (FAS)

OCD symptoms in patients at baselineBaseline

OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Covid-19 related psychological stress in patients and family membersBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

Specific distress regarding Covid-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.

Change in anxiety symptoms in patients and family membersBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

Anxiety symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more anxiety symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Stress levels at baseline in patients and family membersBaseline

Stress as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Covid-19 related psychological stress at baseline in patients and family membersBaseline

Specific distress regarding Covid-19 will be measured by the Dutch translation of the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). This self-reported questionnaire inquires about the frequency of anxiety, depression, specific phobias, cognitive change, avoidance and compulsive behaviour, physical symptoms and loss of social functioning in the past week. The score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more distress.

Change in stress levels in patients and family membersBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

Stress as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more stress levels with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Depressive symptoms at baseline in patients and family membersBaseline

Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Change in depressive symptoms in patients and family membersBaseline + 30 days, baseline + 90 days, baseline + 180 days

Depressive symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more depressive symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Anxiety symptoms at baseline in patients and family membersBaseline

Anxiety symptoms as measured by the 7-item depression subscale of the self-reported 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (DASS-21-Depression). A higher score indicates more anxiety symptoms with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 21.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ghent University Hospital

🇧🇪

Ghent, Belgium

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