The relationship between insight and uncertainty in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of insight and checking-related uncertainty in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

SAMPLING AND METHODS

Twenty OCD patients with checking compulsions and without current comorbidity were recruited. We used an experimental paradigm that gave subjects the opportunity to check during a decision-making task, thereby allowing for the calculation of a response time index (RTI) as the 'uncertainty cost' during decision-making. The level of insight was assessed with the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS).

RESULTS

Regression analyses indicated a significant positive correlation between RTI and BABS scores (r = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of insight is related to cognitive characteristics underlying OCD symptoms, in particular, checking-related uncertainty in checking OCD patients.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The absence of a comparison group and the low number of included patients are the main limitations of the present study.