Association between allergic conjunctivitis and provisional tic disorder in children

Abstract

Background Allergic diseases are associated with a higher risk of Tourette's syndrome (TS). Provisional tic disorder (PTD) and eye blinking are often reported as the initial symptoms both in TS and in allergic conjunctivitis (AC). Objective To investigate the association between AC and PTD in children of 4-10 years of age in southwest China. Methods This case-control study was carried out at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2016 and June 2017. Age-and gender-matched children without PTD were included as the control group. Intraocular pressure was measured by non-contact tonometry, tear film breakup time by slit-lamp examination, and allergens by skin prick test (SPT). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to adjust for the simultaneous effects of AC, dry eye, and allergic history in children with PTD. Results The frequency of AC was higher in the PTD group (74.3%, 52/70) than in the control group (17.1%, 12/70) (P \ 0.001). The frequencies of positive SPT were found to be higher in the PTD group (80.0%, 56/70) than in the control group (20.0%, 14/70). AC, dry eye, and history of allergic rhinitis were significantly associated with PTD. Conclusion The frequencies of AC are high in children with PTD. AC and dry eye may be both associated with PTD in children.

Tourette syndrome research highlights from 2020

“…A fascinating study was driven by the clinical observation that blinking tics, a common first symptom of tic disorder, are often mistaken for allergic conjunctivitis (AC) by families and primary care physicians. A group in southwest China studied 70 children with provisional tic disorder (PTD) and 70 tic-free controls and found that AC was more than 4 times more common in PTD (74%) than controls (17%) (Chen et al 2020). They showed it could not all be symptom confusion, as quantitative measures of dry eyes and allergic responses to a skin prick test were also about four times more common in patients with PTD.…”

Immunological Dysfunction in Tourette Syndrome and Related Disorders

“…Both allergic and autoimmune diseases may arise from an impairment of the immune tolerance process. Clinical reports that linked allergic diseases to TS were based on population-based studies [44,45]. By using the National Health Insurance research database in Taiwan, Chang et al [44] found that TS is associated with common allergic diseases, including rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis.…”

Allergic diseases influence symptom severity and T lymphocyte subgroups of children with tic disorders

“…Allergic disease has become a major burden in the modern society of China due to a recent rise in its prevalence. Recent studies have reported that children with TD often present eczema, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, or other allergic diseases 13-15. Therefore, the relationship between TD and allergic diseases has gained attention among scientists and requires further study.…”