Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources

Background: Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder (OCTD) has been described recently as an early onset and highly disabling endophenotype of Tic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCTD has a relevant but largely unknown clinical, social and economic burden for patients and their families. Our p...

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Main Authors: Luciana Scalone, Lucia Sara D’Angiolella, Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani, Roberta Galentino, Domenico Servello, Bernardo Dell’Osso, Carlotta Zanaboni Dina, Mauro Porta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Milano University Press 2022-03-01
Series:Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health
Online Access:https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ebph/article/view/17466
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author Luciana Scalone
Lucia Sara D’Angiolella
Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani
Roberta Galentino
Domenico Servello
Bernardo Dell’Osso
Carlotta Zanaboni Dina
Mauro Porta
author_facet Luciana Scalone
Lucia Sara D’Angiolella
Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani
Roberta Galentino
Domenico Servello
Bernardo Dell’Osso
Carlotta Zanaboni Dina
Mauro Porta
author_sort Luciana Scalone
collection DOAJ
description Background: Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder (OCTD) has been described recently as an early onset and highly disabling endophenotype of Tic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCTD has a relevant but largely unknown clinical, social and economic burden for patients and their families. Our paper aimed to explore relevant aspects of the burden of OCTD. Methods: we conducted a literature review and a pilot study using retrospective demographic, clinical and economic data of patients with OCTD accessing the Galeazzi Hospital in Milan. Results: the literature review shows the absence of information on OCTD. From the pilot study we analysed data of 30 patients (80.0% male, 36.7% aged from 7 to 13 years, 63.3% aged from 15 to 48 years), 83.0% declared that obsessions and/or compulsions were the most important factors determining their social impairment. Adult patients refractory to drug treatment underwent Deep Brain Stimulation plus drugs. The mean clinical scores at the time of diagnosis indicated a severe condition for both tics and obsessive compulsive components. The mean time elapsed from symptoms onset to diagnosis of OCTD was 5.6 years, reaching up to 11 years in one case. Before reaching the correct diagnosis, different specialists visited the patients several times, 93.3% underwent diagnostic examinations and 86.7% took 2 or 3 different drugs. Ten patients were hospitalised and 8 had received psychotherapy. Discussion: Albeit preliminary, these results show that attention is mandatory for establishing correct diagnosis and treatment guidelines to improve health and rationally spend resources for OCTD.
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spelling doaj-art-c2683bce99894bb482d755755c80daaa2025-08-20T03:17:28ZengMilano University PressEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health2282-09302022-03-0114410.2427/12661Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resourcesLuciana Scalone0Lucia Sara D’AngiolellaLorenzo Giovanni Mantovani1Roberta Galentino2Domenico Servello3Bernardo Dell’Osso4Carlotta Zanaboni Dina5Mauro Porta6University of Milano-BicoccaUniversity of Milano BicoccaTourette Center IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, Milan, ItalyTourette Center IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, Milan, ItalyUniversity of MilanTourette Center IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, Milan, ItalyTourette Center IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, Milan, ItalyBackground: Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder (OCTD) has been described recently as an early onset and highly disabling endophenotype of Tic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCTD has a relevant but largely unknown clinical, social and economic burden for patients and their families. Our paper aimed to explore relevant aspects of the burden of OCTD. Methods: we conducted a literature review and a pilot study using retrospective demographic, clinical and economic data of patients with OCTD accessing the Galeazzi Hospital in Milan. Results: the literature review shows the absence of information on OCTD. From the pilot study we analysed data of 30 patients (80.0% male, 36.7% aged from 7 to 13 years, 63.3% aged from 15 to 48 years), 83.0% declared that obsessions and/or compulsions were the most important factors determining their social impairment. Adult patients refractory to drug treatment underwent Deep Brain Stimulation plus drugs. The mean clinical scores at the time of diagnosis indicated a severe condition for both tics and obsessive compulsive components. The mean time elapsed from symptoms onset to diagnosis of OCTD was 5.6 years, reaching up to 11 years in one case. Before reaching the correct diagnosis, different specialists visited the patients several times, 93.3% underwent diagnostic examinations and 86.7% took 2 or 3 different drugs. Ten patients were hospitalised and 8 had received psychotherapy. Discussion: Albeit preliminary, these results show that attention is mandatory for establishing correct diagnosis and treatment guidelines to improve health and rationally spend resources for OCTD.https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ebph/article/view/17466
spellingShingle Luciana Scalone
Lucia Sara D’Angiolella
Lorenzo Giovanni Mantovani
Roberta Galentino
Domenico Servello
Bernardo Dell’Osso
Carlotta Zanaboni Dina
Mauro Porta
Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health
title Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
title_full Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
title_fullStr Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
title_full_unstemmed Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
title_short Obsessive Compulsive Tic Disorder: appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
title_sort obsessive compulsive tic disorder appropriate diagnosis and treatment as key elements to improve health and rationalize use of resources
url https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ebph/article/view/17466
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