School Performance in Tic Disorders. A Cross-Sectional Study of School Performance in 1,867 Children in Central Spain (IN10-1.001)

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to analyze the association of tic disorders with poor school performance. Background Tic disorders have been associated with academic difficulties, but this association has not been explored in detail. Design/Methods: In this cross sectional, observational study in Burgos (Spain), we randomly selected a sample of mainstream schoolchildren (age 6-16 years). The sampling frame included different types of schools and educational levels. We identified students with poor school performance (repeating a grade, special needs) and tic disorders (defined using DSM-IV TR criteria). Children with vs. without tics and those with vs. without poor school performance were compared in terms of clinical features (medical history, neurological and psychiatric comorbidities), school and environment characteristics. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using school performance as the dependent variable, and tic disorders as the independent variable, adjusting for confounding variables. Results: We included 1,867 children [mean age 10.9 + 2.9 years, 1,007 (53.9%] males). Tics were present in 162 children (8.6%) and poor school performance in 223 (11.9%). After adjusting for confounding variables, tic disorders were not associated with poor school performance. Instead, poor school performance was associated with the need of academic support at school [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=4.13, p=0.01), increased age (OR=2.01, p Conclusions: In contrast to previous reports, tic disorders were not associated with academic difficulties. Different methodology, sample, and school system characteristics may account for this discrepancy. Modification of environment variables, including early academic support, and limitation of TV viewing may be potentially associated with better school performance. Supported by: SACYL, Biomedicine project GRS 157-A, Health Research Grant PI 070846, and the European General Development Co-funding. Disclosure: Dr. Cubo Delgado has received personal compensation for activities with GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., UCB Pharma, Italfarmaco, and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Trejo has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc, Servier Laboratories, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Esteve. Dr. Ausin-Villaverde has nothing to disclose. Dr. Saez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Delgado-Benito has nothing to disclose. Dr. Macarron-Vicente has nothing to disclose. Dr. Louis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cordero-Guevara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benito-Leon has nothing to disclose.