The symptomatology of tic disorders and concomitant sleep habits in children

Introduction: The aim of study was to analyze the clinical symptoms of tic disorders (TG) and sleep habits in children. The sleep habits were compared with those of a control group (CG). Materials and methods: The study included 84 children with TG. The diagnoses were verified according to DSM-IVR criterion. CG included 156 healthy children. The parents filled in a questionnaire developed by the authors – TG’s parents filled in a part concerning the symptomatology of tic disorders and sleep habits, CG’s parents only the second part. Results: There were 78.6% of male and 21.4% of female in TG respectively, and 53.8% and 46.2% in CG. The simple and complex motor tics were observed in 98.8% and 39.3% of patients, vocal tics – 64.3%, sensory tics – 20.2%. ADHD and OCD symptoms were noticed respectively in 73.8% and 35.7% of children. The most common simple and complex motor tics were respectively: blinking – 69.0%, jumping and touching – 20.2% of patients. Vocal tics were presented in 64.3%. 23.8% of TG slept together with another person in bed, and 69% of them in one room with other members of family; in CG it was respectively 58.1% and 19.2%. 33.3% of TG fell asleep and woke up in the same position in bed, in the CG 75.6% of children slept calmly. The bed-time stories were seldom read by the parents in TG – 3.6% vs CG – 31.4%. Conclusions: Quote frequently TG are connected with other behavioral symptoms, in particular ADHD and OCD. Sleep habits are different in TG than in CG.