Table 1.
Original studies on the prognosis of Tourette syndrome (1990–2010).
| Study | Population | Methodology | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorman et al., 2010 (15) | 65 individuals with TS (identified in childhood) and 65 matched controls without tic or OCD symptoms | Controlled study; assessment of psychosocial functioning and psychiatric symptoms at 18 years of age. | Higher rates of psychopathology in patients with TS compared to controls. Poorer psychosocial outcomes associated with greater tic, ADHD and OCD severity. |
| Bloch et al., 2006 (16) | 46 children with TS | Prospective cohort study; clinical evaluation before age 14 years and follow up 7.6 years later. | Reduction in tic symptoms during adolescence reported by 85% of patients. |
| Bloch et al., 2005 (17) | 43 children with TS | Prospective longitudinal study; measurement of basal ganglia volume before age 14 years and follow up after age 16 years. | Caudate volumes are inversely proportional to severity of tic and OCD symptoms in early adulthood. |
| Hoekstra et al., 2004 (18) | 52 paediatric and adult patients with tic disorders | Prospective longitudinal study; administration of weekly questionnaire comparing incidence of small life events with tic severity. | Weak positive association between small stressful life events and tic severity (r=0.268, p<0.001). |
| Pappert et al., 2003 (19) | 31 patients with TS (first recruited as children) | Longitudinal study; videotape assessment of each patient in childhood and in adulthood. | 90% of patients retained their tics, however tic frequency and severity improved. |
| Burd et al., 2001(20) | 39 patients with TS | Prospective longitudinal study; patient interviews with 507 person-years of follow up. | 44% of patients were symptom-free at follow up. |
| Carter et al., 1994 (21) | 34 children without tics but with first-degree relatives with TS. | Prospective longitudinal study; assessment of diagnostic status, family functioning and social-emotional functioning. | Demonstration of increased rates of tic disorders. Poor family functioning associated with anxiety disorders and lower self-esteem. |
Abbreviations: TS=Tourette syndrome; OCD=obsessive-compulsive disorder; ADHD=attention deficit hyperactivity disorder