Abstract
Objective
We aimed to clarify the current status of pharmacotherapy for tic disorders and comorbidities
in Japan. We used a systematic survey to collate the consensus of Japanese experts
and compare it with the recent international evidence.
Methods
We devised a questionnaire on pharmacotherapy for tics and comorbidities and sent
it to Japanese experts on tic disorders. Based on the response to the first survey,
we revised the questionnaire and conducted a second survey to determine the consensus
among the experts on a 4-point Likert scale by the Delphi method.
Results
The first survey revealed variability in preferred medications and dosages among the
experts in Japan. However, we were able to build a general consensus on pharmacotherapy
for tic disorders and comorbidities based on the second survey. Aripiprazole and risperidone
were the first- and second-line medication for tic disorders, respectively. Agonists
of α-2 adrenergic receptors were seldom prescribed. Fluvoxamine was the first-line medication
for comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder, and atomoxetine for comorbid attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Conclusions
This study will help Japanese physicians choose medications for tic disorders more
judiciously and will improve the quality of tic pharmacotherapy in Japan.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 19, 2019
Accepted:
February 6,
2019
Received in revised form:
February 3,
2019
Received:
September 12,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
