Deirdre O'Hare1, Edward Helmes1, John Reece2, Valsamma Eapen3, Kerry McBain4. 1. James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Edward Helmes, PhD, is Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. 2. School of Psychological Sciences, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4. Department of Psychology, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with adverse outcomes. High rates of comorbidity (80-90%) complicate presentation, yet the relationship among TS, common comorbid diagnoses, and adversity is not well understood. This research investigated the impact of comorbidity, and the discrete effects of common comorbid diagnoses, on quality of life (QoL) and functioning of youth with TS. METHODS: A community sample of parents of youth with TS (n = 86) participated in this survey-based study. Differences in QoL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) and rates of psychological, behavioral, and social difficulties (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) reported for youth with or without comorbid disorder were determined, in addition to outcomes associated with individual disorders. FINDINGS: Parametric and nonparametric analyses revealed strong associations between comorbidity and decreased global QoL, impaired emotional and school functioning, and increased emotional symptomatology (p < .001). The impact of individual comorbid disorders was restricted and disorder specific, and TS was uniquely associated with impaired social functioning and peer relationship problems. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the risks associated with TS, particularly to psychosocial well-being, and the specific risks accompanying individual comorbid disorders, may improve assessment, prioritization of treatment goals, and interventions targeting the individual, multidimensional needs of youth with TS.
PROBLEM: Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with adverse outcomes. High rates of comorbidity (80-90%) complicate presentation, yet the relationship among TS, common comorbid diagnoses, and adversity is not well understood. This research investigated the impact of comorbidity, and the discrete effects of common comorbid diagnoses, on quality of life (QoL) and functioning of youth with TS. METHODS: A community sample of parents of youth with TS (n = 86) participated in this survey-based study. Differences in QoL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) and rates of psychological, behavioral, and social difficulties (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) reported for youth with or without comorbid disorder were determined, in addition to outcomes associated with individual disorders. FINDINGS: Parametric and nonparametric analyses revealed strong associations between comorbidity and decreased global QoL, impaired emotional and school functioning, and increased emotional symptomatology (p < .001). The impact of individual comorbid disorders was restricted and disorder specific, and TS was uniquely associated with impaired social functioning and peer relationship problems. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the risks associated with TS, particularly to psychosocial well-being, and the specific risks accompanying individual comorbid disorders, may improve assessment, prioritization of treatment goals, and interventions targeting the individual, multidimensional needs of youth with TS.
Authors: Jordan T Stiede; Jennifer R Alexander; Brianna Wellen; Christopher C Bauer; Michael B Himle; Suzanne Mouton-Odum; Douglas W Woods Journal: Compr Psychiatry Date: 2018-08-25 Impact factor: 3.735
Authors: Sara Beth Wolicki; Rebecca H Bitsko; Melissa L Danielson; Joseph R Holbrook; Benjamin Zablotsky; John T Walkup; Douglas W Woods; Jonathan W Mink Journal: J Dev Behav Pediatr Date: 2019 Jul/Aug Impact factor: 2.225
Authors: Sara Beth Wolicki; Rebecca H Bitsko; Joseph R Holbrook; Melissa L Danielson; Benjamin Zablotsky; Lawrence Scahill; John T Walkup; Douglas W Woods; Jonathan W Mink Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2020-08-18 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Jordan F Garris; David A Huddleston; Hannah S Jackson; Paul S Horn; Donald L Gilbert Journal: J Child Neurol Date: 2020-10-30 Impact factor: 1.987