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The Clinical Features of Tourette's Disorder: An Australian Study Using a Structured Interview Schedule

The clinical features of an Australian series of patients fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for Tourette's Syndrome (TS) were examined. Fifty patients, recruited from a hospital-based outpatient clinic and a self-help group, were interviewed using a structured schedule. TS is a complex disorder with wide ranging manifestations. Forty male and ten female TS patients with a mean age of 20.8 years (SD11.2) were assessed. The mean age of onset of tics was 8.3 years (SD 3.3). Simple motor tics occurring in the rostral body regions were more common (eye 86%, face and head 80%) when compared both to simple tics occurring caudally (leg 52%) and complex motor tics (58%). Simple vocal tics were more common (94%) than complex ones (44%). There was a rostrocaudal pattern in the age of onset and severity of simple motor tics. Rates of comorbidity were 32%, 18% and 30% for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Major Depression and Generalised Anxiety Disorder respectively and this was reflected in the considerable proportion (32%) of the sample who first presented for reasons other than their tics. There were substantial delays between the age of first presentation and diagnosis of TS owing to the insidious onset of the disorder, misdiagnosis and delays in presentation for help. A comparison of the features of the present patients with those of other published studies revealed similarities with some differences. Better clinical recognition of the symptoms and modes of presentation of TS may improve existing delays in diagnosis and treatment.