Psychiatric disorders in persistent and remitted Sydenham's chorea

Background: Sydenham's chorea (SC) has been associated with increased frequency of psychiatric disorders. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is any difference in the frequency of psychiatric disorders between SC patients in remission and patients with persistent chorea. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with SC (mean age±SD, years; 21.5±6.7; M/F; 10/40) were subjected to a comprehensive and structured psychiatric evaluation. Results: The most frequent psychiatric disorders observed in SC patients were: major depression (14%); generalized anxiety disorder (16%), social phobia (24%) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (24%). The frequency of psychiatric disorders did not differ between SC patients in remission in comparison with patients with persistent chorea, except for depressive disorders which were more frequent in the later. Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders are common among young adults with SC regardless of the status of motor symptoms.