Age-Specific Prevalence of Hoarding and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objectives Little is known about the age-specific prevalence of hoarding and obsessive compulsive (OC) symptoms, particularly in older age groups. The objectives of this study were to estimate the age-specific prevalence, severity and relationships between hoarding and OC symptoms in males and females using a large population-based sample. Methods We assessed the age-specific prevalence rates of hoarding disorder (HD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in males and females (at various age ranges between 15–97 years) from the Netherlands Twins Register; n=15,194. Provisional HD and OCD diagnoses were made according to DSM-5 criteria utilizing self-report measures. We also assessed hoarding and OC symptom severity in the various age groups, and explored specific hoarding and OC symptom patterns (e.g., difficulty discarding, excessive acquisition, clutter, checking, washing, perfectionism and obsessions) with age. Results Prevalence of provisional HD diagnoses (2.12%) increased linearly by 20% with every 5 years of age (z = 13.8, p < 0.0001) and did not differ between males and females. Provisional OCD diagnoses were most common in younger individuals and in individuals over age 65. Co-occurring OCD increased hoarding symptom severity (coefficient = 4.5, SE = 0.2, 95% CI = 4.1 to 4.9, t=22.0, p<0.0001). Difficulty discarding for HD and checking behaviors for OCD appeared to drive most of the increase in these diagnoses in older ages. Conclusions Increased prevalence and severity of HD with age appears to be primarily driven by difficulties with discarding. Increases in OCD prevalence with older age were unexpected, and of potential clinical relevance.

The Etiology of Hoarding Disorder: A Review

“…The onset of hoarding symptoms, whether in the context of hoarding symptoms or HD, is most likely to occur prior to age 20 years [36,38,40] , which is consistent with the typical age of onset of OCD [41] . However, in contrast to the typical cyclical course of OCD symptoms across the lifespan [42] , hoarding symptoms are likely to be chronic [36] and progressive over the lifespan [36,40,43] . One recent study indicated that the prevalence of provisional HD diagnoses increased steadily by 20% with every 5 years of age [43] .…”

“…However, in contrast to the typical cyclical course of OCD symptoms across the lifespan [42] , hoarding symptoms are likely to be chronic [36] and progressive over the lifespan [36,40,43] . One recent study indicated that the prevalence of provisional HD diagnoses increased steadily by 20% with every 5 years of age [43] . Specifically, difficulty discarding appeared to account for increases in HD diagnoses with age [43] .…”

“…One recent study indicated that the prevalence of provisional HD diagnoses increased steadily by 20% with every 5 years of age [43] . Specifically, difficulty discarding appeared to account for increases in HD diagnoses with age [43] .…”

Transtorno de acumulação: uma revisão

“…20 Em estudo conduzido na Holanda, a prevalência de TA foi de 2,12% em ambos os sexos, com aumentos lineares em torno de 20% a cada 5 anos. 21 Em nosso meio, um estudo transversal realizado em Curitiba (PR) sobre a frequência de comportamento acumulador mostrou uma taxa O TA está associado a comorbidades psiquiátricas, incluindo taxas elevadas de depressão, transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG), fobia social, transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) e TOC. 5 Nos idosos com TA, especificamente, as comorbidades mais frequentes são depressão (14-54%), transtornos de ansiedade, transtornos de personalidade, transtorno de estresse pós-traumático e transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias.…”

Síndrome de Diógenes: relato de caso

“…Entretanto, segundo estudo recente, as taxas de prevalência em idosos ultrapassam 6%, de modo que não parece haver diferença entre os gêneros. 6 A evidência sugere que a gravidade dos sintomas de acúmulo aumenta com a idade. 1 O comportamento de acumulação em idosos foi observado concomitantemente às seguintes condições: transtornos de ansiedade, depressivos, de personalidade, de estresse pós-traumático e do uso de substâncias, sendo as duas primeiras as mais frequentemente relatadas.…”