Prevalence and clinical correlates of intermitent explosive disorder in psychiatric patients

Prevalence And Clinical Correlates of Intermitent Explosive Disorder in Psychiatric Patients Objective: Intermittent explosive disorder is defined as the failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in repeated acts of verbal and/or physical aggression. Although it can be frequently encountered during clinical psychiatric practice there is few data in scientific literature about IED. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of intermittent explosive disorder and related sociodemographic and clinical features. Method: A total of 406 patients who have referred to our outpatient clinic for the first time in six months period were included in the study. Axis I disorder and Axis II disorder diagnoses were made according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria. The diagnosis of Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) was made by DSM-IV and also DSM-5 criteria too. Diagnoses were made using information from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID I) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV personality disorders (SCID II), Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90), Wender Utah Rating Scale and Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) DSM-IV Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale, clinical interview by researcher and sociodemographic data form. In addition respondents were administered the Buss-Perry Aggression Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11(BIS-11) to assess aggression and impulsivity. Results: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of intermittent explosive disorder according to DSM-5 were 16,7 % and 11,3 %, respectively. Mean age of onset was 16,4. The prevalence of lifetime IED was 3,8 times more in males compared to females (%95 GA= 1,9-7,5), twice as much in those living in rural areas compared to downtown (%95 GA=1,1-3,7), 2,7 times more in those with lifetime suicide attempt compared to those not (%95 GA=1,3-5,6), 4,5 times more in those with lifetime self-injurious behavior in comparison to those not (%95 GA=2,3-8,7) and 3 times more in those reported anger problems in their families compared to those not (%95 GA=1,5-5,9). The prevalence of childhood ADHD, conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder were significantly higher in IED group. Conclusion: The result of this study has revealed that one sixth of respondents met lifetime IED according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, approximately. Statistically significant sociodemographic correlates of IED include gender, urbanicity, history of suicide attempts, history of self-injurious behaviors and family history of anger problems. Keywords: Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Aggression, Impulsivity, Anger.