The presence of comorbidity in Tourette syndrome increases the need for pharmacological treatment

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Tourette syndrome is often accompanied by other syndromes, like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and its treatment is symptomatic. Because there are no European guidelines for pharmacological treatment in Tourette syndrome, we wanted to contribute to a better insight into the common practice in Scandinavia. Furthermore, we wanted to elaborate the influence of the presence of comorbidities and of the severity of tics on pharmacological treatment. We have examined the frequency, art, and reason for pharmacological treatment in a Danish clinical cohort of 314 children with Tourette syndrome. In total, 60.5% of the children once had received pharmacological treatment. Mostly, the treatment was started because of tics or ADHD. If ADHD or obsessive-compulsive disorder were present, more children received pharmacological treatment and more different agents were tried. The children who received pharmacological treatment had more severe tics than those without medication.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Child Neurology
Volume24
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)1504-12
Number of pages8
ISSN0883-0738
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Adolescent; Anticonvulsants; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Brain; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognitive Therapy; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Denmark; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Neuropharmacology; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Scandinavia; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; Tourette Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

ID: 21337380