This study has not been submitted before and is not under consideration at another journal. All of the authors have contributed to the study and approve of its contents. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to present a retrospective analysis of cases with probable disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) at a Turkish tertiary treatment center and discuss implications.
METHODS: Two hundred patients complaining of “irritability” and “temper tantrums” were evaluated at the time of their application with the Childhood Mania Rating Scale (CMRS), Parent Version of Young Mania Rating Scale (P-YMRS), the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Screen for Anxiety and Related Disorders along with the Atilla Turgay Scale for DSM-IV-TR Disruptive Behavior Disorders. To differentiate those with probable DMDD, patients with a P-YMRS score of <20 (below cut-off), CDI<19 (below cut-off) and those with <4 criteria endorsed as “frequent” or “very frequent” in the ODD section of AT-Parent and AT-Teacher were selected.
RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (63.6% male) were found to fulfill criteria for DMDD as per DSM-5. Eighty-five of the patients (87.6%) were prescribed drugs. Most commonly drugs used during lifetime were, in descending order, risperidone, methylphenidate, atomoxetine, OROS methylphenidate, sertraline and fluoxetine). Most common diagnoses according to DSM-IV-TR were ADHD (60.6%), GAD (33.3%), Learning Disability (31.3%), Social Phobia (18.2%), Separation Anxiety Disorder (14.1%), OCD (12.1%), Enuresis (11.1%), Tic Disorders (8.1%), MDD/ Dysthymia and BP-NOS (6.1% for each).
CONCLUSION: This study aimed to evaluate retrospectively patients with probable DSM-5 DMDD at a tertiary treatment center in Turkey according to socio-demographic and clinical variables in correspondence with DSM-IV-TR diagnoses. Patients had been prescribed stimulants, atomoxetine, risperidone and SSRIs during their lifetime. Anxiety disorders and ADHD were the most common DSM-IV-TR diagnoses while BP-NOS and Depression/ Dysthymia were rarer.