| Summary: | Introduction: An increase in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was
predicted as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures
established for controlling it.
Aims: This review seeks to analyze the relationship between the COVID-19
pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in particular the
pandemic’s effect on the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms,
predisposing factors, interventions carried out, their effectiveness and
the proposal of interventions in future situations similar to the one studied.
Methods: For this purpose, a systematic review of empirical articles, published
from November 2019 to June 2022, is carried out, following the
PRISMA methodology. The review was registered in Open Science Forum
[10.17605/OSF.IO/DV8GZ].
Results: The studies indicated an increase in the prevalence of OC symptoms
in the general population, as well as new obsessions, relapses, and/
or worsening of the pre-existing symptoms in patients with OCD mainly
related to contamination obsessions and cleaning and hand washing compulsions.
Predisposing factors are being younger, low resilience, low social
support, the presence of previous contamination symptoms, overexposure
to news about COVID-19, the previous severity and aggressiveness of OC
symptomatology, and the absence or lack of treatment adherence. The combined
use of pharmacological treatment, cognitive-behavioral therapies,
teaching skills to reinforce resilience, and training in coping strategies will
be recommended.
Conclusions: The data obtained can be used as a basis for future OCD
prevention plans in crises similar to the one studied.
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