Abstract
Tourette Syndrome (TS) has been considered to be rare (0.1-0.5/1000) and is defined (DSM-3) as distinct from the more common Transient Tic Disorder (TTD) because of the occurrence of both vocal and motor components, waxing and waning course, and duration of more than one year. Additionally, TS has been associated with a variety of clinical problems (attention deficit disorder, learning handicaps, speech problems, and secondary social maladjustment) not known to be associated with TTD. We compared kindergarten children whose parents reported (questionnaires & interviews) that they were very concerned about motor and/or vocal tics [N=14] to other children [N=297] without such reported behavior. The tic report cases were rated as significantly (p < .001) more hyperactive on the parent Connor's Hyperkinesis Index. These children were found to be significantly (p < .05) lower than other children on 4 of 5 teacher ratings (attention span, learning ability, sociability, and self-esteem), but did not differ on the outgoing/withdrawn item. The teachers were always blind to our hypothesis and to classification based on parent report. They were no different on speech or achievement testing. Interviews revealed a positive family history of tics in 50% of tic report cases but in only 17% of a control group (N=24). In all 9 cases in which 2 years' follow-up interviews were obtained, symptoms were found to meet the DSM-3 criterion for TS, albeit usually mild. We conclude that TS is probably more common than previously believed. TS probably is a point on a continuum of symptoms differing only in severity from other tic conditions.
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Sturner, R., Funk, S., France, R. et al. TIC SYMPTOMS: BEHAVIORAL CORRELATES. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 115 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00131
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00131