Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

This is the first study to investigate the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome (GTS).

METHOD: One hundred and three out-patients with GTS completed a semi-structured interview and 90 of these completed questionnaires screening for depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviour. QOL was measured with the SF-36 and the Quality of Life Assessment Schedule (QOLAS).

RESULTS

Patients with GTS showed significantly worse QOL than a general population sample. They had better QOL than patients with intractable epilepsy as measured by the QOLAS, although the SF-36 showed significant differences on the subscales Role Limitation due to physical problems and Social Functioning only. Factors influencing QOL domains were employment status, tic severity, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

QOL is impaired in patients with GTS. Measurement of QOL could be used alongside conventional measurements to assess benefit of treatment. We recommend the QOLAS and SF-36 be used.