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Understanding disability in Tourette syndrome

Tamara Pringsheim1, Anthony Lang, Roger Kurlan

  • 1Tourette Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada. tamara.pringsheim@utoronto.ca

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|November 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children with Tourette syndrome (TS) and co-occurring ADHD or OCD experience significant psychosocial impairment. Prioritizing ADHD and OCD treatment is crucial for these children with multiple diagnoses.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Child psychology
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • Tourette syndrome (TS) often co-occurs with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Understanding the impact of these co-occurring conditions on children's health and well-being is essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the disability experience in children with Tourette syndrome, considering the presence of ADHD and/or OCD.
  • To identify specific health domains affected by these co-occurring conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-one children with TS (with or without ADHD/OCD) were analyzed across four subgroups.
  • Clinicians collected baseline information and symptom severity. Parents completed the Child Health Questionnaire.

Main Results:

  • Children with TS+ADHD and TS+ADHD+OCD showed significantly lower psychosocial domain scores compared to national norms.
  • ADHD symptom severity was the most significant predictor of psychosocial impairment (R(2)=0.55, p<0.001).
  • Children with TS only did not differ from norms in most psychosocial domains, except for family activities.

Conclusions:

  • Children with TS and co-occurring ADHD and/or OCD experience widespread psychosocial health impairment.
  • For children with TS alone, psychosocial health is largely comparable to the general population.
  • Treatment of ADHD and OCD should be prioritized in children with multiple diagnoses for improved psychosocial outcomes.

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