Frequency and significance of vocalizations in Sydenham's chorea

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2009 Jan;15(1):62-3. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2008.01.014. Epub 2008 Mar 14.

Abstract

Sydenham's chorea (SC) is a complication of Streptococcus infection characterized by a combination of motor and non-motor features. We have investigated the presence of vocalizations in 89 consecutive patients with SC evaluated during a one-year period in the UFMG Movement Disorders Clinic. Seven (4/3 M/F) of the 89 patients (29/60 M/F) presented with simple vocalizations not preceded by premonitory sensations but in association with facial chorea in five patients. These findings suggest that vocalizations are not a common feature in SC and their phenomenology is quite distinct from the characteristics of vocal tics in tic disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Chorea / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Voice Disorders / etiology*
  • Young Adult