INTRODUCTION: Behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in over 70% of patients. However, about 30% do not show any improvement. The knowledge of factors associated with these outcomes may inform better treatment indications and improve treatment efficacy. METHOD: Review of studies that investigated predictors of obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment results in PubMed, PsychoINFO and LILACS databases. Terms used in the search were predictive factors OR prediction AND obsessive-compulsive disorder AND exposure response prevention OR ritual prevention OR behav* therapy OR cognitive behav* therapy." The search retrieved 104 studies. The references of retrieved studies were also analyzed to ensure that all relevant studies were included. Studies that used only pharmacotherapy or did not discuss the topic under analysis were excluded, and 29 studies met inclusion criteria. DISCUSSION: Demographic variables seem to play an indirect role in treatment results; male sex and not having partner are factors associated with poor prognosis. Greater severity and early symptom onset also indicate poor outcomes. Comorbid schizotypal disorder is potentially negative. Symptoms associated with hoarding and sexual/religious obsessions predict poor prognosis. Greater insight, motivation and collaboration with treatment are favorable characteristics. Greater improvement and complete remission of symptoms are predictors of no relapse. CONCLUSION: The identification of outcome predictors is still far from complete. Multiple factors may contribute to results, and their associations are complex. Results may depend on unspecific factors not yet investigated. Definite conclusions are difficult to reach because of the heterogeneity of obsessive-compulsive disorder and of the studies investigating it and the combined use of drugs.
Prognosis; obsessive-compulsive disorder; cognitive-behavior therapy; behavior therapy; exposure and response prevention
