Cultural influences on diagnosis and perception of Tourette syndrome in Costa Rica

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Carol A MathewsVictor I Reus

Abstract

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder in which the pattern of symptom presentation can vary greatly between individuals. Although globally described, TS has not been well characterized in many parts of the world. Differences in individual and cultural perceptions of TS may impact its expression and recognition in some countries, confounding the identification of affected individuals. This study examines the phenomenology and presentation of TS in Costa Rica. Clinical data on 85 Costa Rican subjects with TS (aged 5-29 years) initially recruited for a genetic study between 1996 and early 2000 were obtained by direct interview and review of medical records. The clinical characteristics of TS were similar to that found elsewhere. The gender ratio was 4.6:1, the mean age of onset was 6.1 years, and 20% of subjects had coprolalia. However, the perceived impact of TS was different. Many subjects denied that their TS caused impairment or distress, even when objective evidence of impairment was available. TS in Costa Rica is phenomenologically similar to TS seen in other parts of the world, but differs in perceived impairment. In other countries where cultural forces affect disease definition, close scrutiny of symptom e...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1990·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·J F LeckmanD L Pauls
Jul 1, 1989·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·J F LeckmanD J Cohen
Sep 30, 1994·Science·E S Lander, N J Schork
Dec 1, 1995·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·B S Peterson
Feb 1, 1996·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·F CardosoJ T de Oliveira
Jan 1, 1997·Comprehensive Psychiatry·D StaleyG Shady
Jun 1, 1997·American Journal of Human Genetics·V I Reus, N B Freimer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 10, 2013·European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·Stephanie M SamarBarbara J Coffey
Sep 1, 2015·European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·Melina A MalliGlynis Murphy
Nov 17, 2009·Journal of Psychosomatic Research·Mary May RobertsonAndrea Eugenio Cavanna
Sep 8, 2007·Depression and Anxiety·Denise A ChaviraCarol A Mathews
Jul 29, 2017·Transcultural Psychiatry·Robert Lemelson, Annie Tucker
Feb 10, 2007·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics : the Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·Carol A MathewsNicholas J Schork

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.