Abstract Details

Title Tic Severity and Family Function in Children with Tourette Syndrome and Coprophenomena

Topic Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 6-003

Background

TS is defined by multiple motor tics and one or more phonic tics with symptom duration of >1 year. Coprophenomena are uncommon tics characterized by obscene sounds, words, or gestures. Children with TS have reported lower scores on measures of individual and family functioning than youth without TS. It is not known whether or how coprophenomena impacts function or quality of life (QOL) in youth with TS.

Objective

To determine associations among tic severity and function in youth with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and coprophenomena compared to those with TS without coprophenomena.

Design/Methods

The University of Rochester and University of South Florida jointly conducted a CDC-funded cross-sectional Tic Impact Study. Data were collected from children with TS and their caregivers and teachers. Family impact was measured in domains of parent health-related quality of life (HRQOL), family functioning, and total family impact. We conducted analyses to compare global and family function in youth with TS with (TS+copro) and without (TS-copro) coprophenomena. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare scores on individual function and family function measures.

Results

Of 170 subjects, 17(10%) exhibited coprophenomena. Subjects with TS and coprophenomena had higher tic severity scores than those without coprophenomena (TS+copro mean(SD) = 36.9(7.5), TS-copro = 20.8(8.3), p<0.0001). Patients with coprophenomena had lower scores for global function (TS+copro median (IQR) = 51 (45,59), TS-copro = 60 (52,65), p = .0042), family functioning (TS+copro = 43.8 (25,62.5), TS-copro = 59.4 (46.9,84.4), p = .0007), parent HRQOL (TS+copro = 57.5 (38.1,61.3), TS-copro = 72.5 (56.3,86.3), p = .0003), and total family QOL (TS+copro = 50.7 (38.2,58.7), TS-copro = 65.3 (54.2,80.6), p = .0042).

Conclusions

Youth with TS and coprophenomena had lower individual function, family function, and parent HRQOL than youth without coprophenomena. Coprophenomena presence may represent a more severe phenotype of TS and may be an indicator for earlier intervention.

Authors/Disclosures
Samantha P. Myers PRESENTER	Ms. Myers has nothing to disclose.
Jonathan W. Mink, MD, PhD, FAAN	The institution of Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Amicus. The institution of Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Neurogene. Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TEVA. Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for PTC Therapeutics. Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Applied Therapeutics. Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for AAN. The institution of Dr. Mink has received research support from Neurogene. The institution of Dr. Mink has received research support from NIH. Dr. Mink has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Mink has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Member, Study Section with NINDS.
Jennifer A. Vermilion, MD (University of Rochester)	The institution of Dr. Vermilion has received research support from Tourette Association of America, American Academy of Neurology and American Brain Foundation. The institution of Dr. Vermilion has received research support from Centers for Disease Control.