Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: advice in the times of COVID-19.

Mary M Robertson,Andreas Hartmann,Renata Rizzo,Jeremy S Stern,Valsamma Eapen

doi:10.12688/f1000research.23275.2

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory disease in China at the end of 2019. It then spread with enormous rapidity and by mid-March 2020 was declared a world pandemic. Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of about 1% of the population. The clinical symptoms include multiple motor and one or more phonic (vocal) tics. Germane to this communication is that 85% of patients with GTS have associated psychiatric co-morbidities, many of which are being exacerbated in the current global health crisis. In addition, several symptoms of GTS may mimic COVID-19, such as a dry cough and sniffing (phonic tics), while other symptoms such as spitting, inappropriate touching of others and "non-obscene socially inappropriate symptoms" can potentially get patients with GTS into trouble with the law. We suggest that a clear explanation of the COVID-19 illness and GTS is important to enable colleagues of various specialities who tend to patients with GTS. It is important to acknowledge at the outset that the information available on the COVID-19 pandemic changes daily, including cases infected, deaths reported, and how various national health systems are planning and or coping or not. It is fair to say that having read the current medical and lay press we conclude that it is not easy to reassure our patients with absolute certainty. However, notwithstanding that, we hope our documentation is of some assistance.

Highlights

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory disease in China at the end of 2019
Any further responses from the reviewers can be found at the end of the article Aetiology: COVID-19 Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that mostly result in mild illnesses, similar to the “common cold”, targeting the upper respiratory tract
Coronavirus particles are surrounded by a fatty outer layer called an “envelope” and usually are spherical when visualised under an electron microscope, with a “corona” of club-shaped spikes on their surface (Wu et al, 2020)

Summary

14 Apr 2020

Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. The virus that causes COVID-19 is known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2). It appears to have emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It is worth mentioning that since 2003, viral diseases have caused major pandemics These include the coronaviruses, which have caused multiple major public health events that resulted in global pandemics such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS; or “bat SARS”), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (Kandeel et al, 2020). Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in the context of COVID-19 Potential consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with GTS can be classified according to four axes: 1. Anxiety related to the pandemic

Neurotropic effects of SARS-CoV-2

Findings

Conclusion