The international prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical phenomenology of Tourette syndrome: A cross-cultural perspective

Received 19 March 2009; received in revised form 13 July 2009; accepted 14 July 2009.

Abstract

The overall international prevalence of Tourette syndrome (TS) is 1% in the majority of cultures of the world. Both TS and tics are certainly more obvious and may be more common in younger people. Moreover, TS is seen less frequently in some cultures. However, in all cultures where it has been reported, the phenomenology is similar, highlighting the biological underpinnings of the disorder. This article reviews the international prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical phenomenology of TS, from a cross-cultural perspective.

Keywords: Tourette syndrome, Epidemiology, Phenomenology, Cross-cultural aspects

a Department of Mental Health Sciences, UCL, London, United Kingdom

b Department of Neurology, St George's Hospital and Medical School, London, United Kingdom

c Sydney South West Area Health Service, Australia

d Department of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia

e Department of Neuropsychiatry, University of Birmingham and BSMHFT, Birmingham, United Kingdom

f Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, United Kingdom

Corresponding author. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Birmingham, and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham University, Barberry Building, 25 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2FG.

PII: S0022-3999(09)00276-1

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.07.010

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