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Tourette syndrome: associated symptoms and most disabling features
R R Wand1, G S Matazow, G A Shady
1Department of Psychiatry, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Tourette Syndrome (TS) patients and parents reported tics and co-occurring conditions as most disabling. Younger patients experienced more hyperactivity and aggression than adults with TS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics.
- Associated co-morbid conditions such as aggression, obsessions, compulsions, attentional problems, sleep disturbances, mood disturbances, anxiety, and self-mutilative behaviors are frequently reported in TS literature.
- Understanding the most disabling aspects of TS is crucial for effective management and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and impact of vocal and motor tics in Tourette Syndrome.
- To identify and analyze associated co-morbid conditions in patients with Tourette Syndrome.
- To compare the disabling aspects of Tourette Syndrome between pediatric and adult patient groups.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 446 patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and/or their parents was conducted.
- The survey included a 52-item self-report measure assessing vocal/motor tics and co-morbid conditions.
- Respondents also answered an open-ended question about the most disabling aspects of TS.
- Data were analyzed for two age groups: under 18 years (N=245) and 18 years or older (N=177).
Main Results:
- Tics and associated co-morbid conditions were identified as the most frequently reported disabling aspects by both pediatric and adult participants.
- Patients under 18 years of age reported significantly higher frequencies of hyperactivity, temper control issues, aggressive behaviors, and sleepwalking compared to adult patients with TS.
- The study highlights age-related differences in the manifestation and impact of Tourette Syndrome symptoms and associated conditions.
Conclusions:
- Vocal and motor tics, alongside co-occurring conditions, represent the primary sources of disability for individuals with Tourette Syndrome across different age groups.
- Pediatric populations with Tourette Syndrome exhibit a greater prevalence of behavioral issues, including hyperactivity and aggression, compared to adults.
- These findings underscore the importance of age-specific therapeutic strategies and support systems for managing the multifaceted challenges of Tourette Syndrome.