Jaeun Yang1, Lauren Hirsch2, Davide Martino3,4, Nathalie Jette2,5, Jodie Roberts2,5, Tamara Pringsheim2,5,6. 1. School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 2. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 3. International Parkinson's Centre of Excellence, King's College and King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom. 4. Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom. 5. Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 6. Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome in Canada by sex in youth (aged 12-17) and adults and (2) socioeconomic factors in this population. BACKGROUND: The majority of epidemiological studies of tics have focused on children and youth, with few studies describing the prevalence of tics in adult populations. METHODS: Canadian data on Tourette syndrome prevalence were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2010 and 2011 cycles, a Statistics Canada population-based cross-sectional survey that collects information related to health status. We determined the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome and examined sociodemographic factors, including age, sex, education, income, employment, and birthplace. RESULTS: Overall, 122,884 Canadians participated in the surveys, with 122 participants diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. The prevalence of Tourette syndrome was higher in males in youth: 6.03 per 1000 (95% confidence interval: 3.24-8.81) in males versus 0.48 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.91) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 5.31 (95% confidence interval: 2.38-11.81). In adults, the prevalence of Tourette syndrome was 0.89 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.48-1.29) in males versus 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.16.0-0.71) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.08). After adjusting for age and sex, adults with Tourette syndrome had lower odds of receiving postsecondary education or being employed and higher odds of having income lower than the median and receiving governmental support. CONCLUSION: Data on the prevalence of Tourette syndrome in adults are scarce because most studies focus on children. Our data demonstrate a decreasing prevalence risk ratio for sex in adults compared to children. A diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is associated with lower education, income, and employment in adulthood.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome in Canada by sex in youth (aged 12-17) and adults and (2) socioeconomic factors in this population. BACKGROUND: The majority of epidemiological studies of tics have focused on children and youth, with few studies describing the prevalence of tics in adult populations. METHODS: Canadian data on Tourette syndrome prevalence were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2010 and 2011 cycles, a Statistics Canada population-based cross-sectional survey that collects information related to health status. We determined the prevalence of diagnosed Tourette syndrome and examined sociodemographic factors, including age, sex, education, income, employment, and birthplace. RESULTS: Overall, 122,884 Canadians participated in the surveys, with 122 participants diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. The prevalence of Tourette syndrome was higher in males in youth: 6.03 per 1000 (95% confidence interval: 3.24-8.81) in males versus 0.48 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.91) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 5.31 (95% confidence interval: 2.38-11.81). In adults, the prevalence of Tourette syndrome was 0.89 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval: 0.48-1.29) in males versus 0.44 (95% confidence interval: 0.16.0-0.71) in females, with a prevalence risk ratio of 1.93 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.08). After adjusting for age and sex, adults with Tourette syndrome had lower odds of receiving postsecondary education or being employed and higher odds of having income lower than the median and receiving governmental support. CONCLUSION: Data on the prevalence of Tourette syndrome in adults are scarce because most studies focus on children. Our data demonstrate a decreasing prevalence risk ratio for sex in adults compared to children. A diagnosis of Tourette syndrome is associated with lower education, income, and employment in adulthood.
Authors: Tamara Pringsheim; Yolanda Holler-Managan; Michael S Okun; Joseph Jankovic; John Piacentini; Andrea E Cavanna; Davide Martino; Kirsten Müller-Vahl; Douglas W Woods; Michael Robinson; Elizabeth Jarvie; Veit Roessner; Maryam Oskoui Journal: Neurology Date: 2019-05-07 Impact factor: 9.910