Epidemiology

TS is reported worldwide.[12][13] It affects boys more frequently than girls, at a ratio of between 3:1 and 5:1.[14][15] Studies estimate its prevalence to range from 0.3% to 0.9%.[16] The reported prevalence is widely variable as a result of non-uniform methodologies and diagnostic criteria, such as differences in diagnostic procedures, presence or absence of psychiatric comorbidity, and sample differences. In the US, TS is estimated to have a prevalence of 0.6% in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years, with about half of cases undiagnosed.[15] In the UK, TS affects 1 per 100 schoolchildren, with most having only mild symptoms. Around 300,000 children and adults in the UK have the condition.[17]

A majority of patients have behavioural and psychiatric comorbid symptoms or disorders; only 12% across all ages are reported to have only tics without other associated conditions.[7] From a worldwide dataset, ADHD is the most common comorbid psychiatric disorder, and accounts for about 55% of the behavioural findings.[18]

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