The genetics of trichotillomania and excoriation disorder: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Trichotillomania (TTM) and excoriation disorder (ED) are impairing obsessive-compulsive related disorders that are common in the general population and for which there are no clear first-line medications, highlighting the need to better understand the underlying biology of these disorders to inform treatments. Given the importance of genetics in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), evaluating genetic factors underlying TTM and ED may advance knowledge about the pathophysiology of these body-focused repetitive behaviors. AIM: In this systematic review, we summarize the available evidence on the genetics of TTM and ED and highlight gaps in the field warranting further research. METHOD: We systematically searched Embase, PsycInfo, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for original studies in genetic epidemiology (family or twin studies) and molecular genetics (candidate gene and genome-wide) published up to June 2023. RESULTS: Of the 3536 records identified, 109 studies were included in this review. These studies indicated that genetic factors play an important role in the development of TTM and ED, some of which may be shared across the OCD spectrum, but there are no known high-confidence specific genetic risk factors for either TTM or ED. CONCLUSIONS: Our review underscores the need for additional genome-wide research conducted on the genetics of TTM and ED, for instance, genome-wide association and whole-genome/whole-exome DNA sequencing studies. Recent advances in genomics have led to the discovery of risk genes in several psychiatric disorders, including related conditions such as OCD, but to date, TTM and ED have remained understudied.

Review of Management Considerations for Excoriation Disorder in Older Adults.

Excoriation disorder (ED) is defined as compulsive skin picking that results in skin damage and emotional distress. Optimal management of ED includes individualized treatment plans consisting of psychotherapies, behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. Compared with younger populations, older adults are at increased risk for poor outcomes, such as infection and hospitalization, and require unique management considerations. Risk factors that contribute to disease burden include age-related changes to the skin and underlying medical and psychiatric comorbidities. A literature review was conducted on ED yielding limited evidence exclusive to older adults. The authors suggest a therapeutic approach to ED in older adults based on available evidence and experience from inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. Finally, opportunities for future research are highlighted.

A case report of an atypical severe case of skin picking disorder managed by a multidisciplinary team.

BACKGROUND: While skin picking disorder remains relatively common, it often does not present to psychiatry until significant morbidity or comorbidities are reached. It is described as recurrent picking of skin leading to skin lesions, with repeated attempts to decrease or stop skin picking. It is also often associated with significant distress or functional impairment. There has been limited research in this specific disorder and treatment efficacy has often been poor in severe cases. For various reasons, only a small amount of patients with this disorder present to care, and often to a multidisciplinary team prior to psychiatry. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case presentation of a 44 year old male with a complex past psychiatric history, ultimately untreated for an underlying skin picking disorder. He presented for urgent medical care following a self-inflicted wound through the central frontal bone and dura over the course of 2 years. He was treated with current psychiatric evidence based medicine, including an SSRI, antipsychotic augmentation and NAC, along with habit reversal techniques during the admission. He was concurrently managed with the neurosurgery team, initially with a poor prognosis due to the severity of his presentation. He required debriding of the devitalized bone within the adjacent brain to cover the dural defect, IV antibiotics for 6 weeks, and an initial skin graft on his initial admission. CONCLUSIONS: This case in particular highlighted the importance of urgent treatment via a multidisciplinary approach to avoid mortality. It highlights the importance of increasing awareness about the disorder and that treatment with SSRI's, along with antipsychotic and NAC adjuncts remains the mainstay of acute treatment.

Disorders of impulsivity in trichotillomania and skin picking disorder.

Trichotillomania and skin picking disorder are often classified as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) as they are characterized by repetitive hair-pulling and skin picking, respectively. They were initially considered to be impulse control disorders despite little research scrutiny. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of these two conditions to other disorders with impulsive features. Adults with trichotillomania (n = 104) and skin picking (n = 178) or both (n = 96) were recruited from the general community using advertisements and online support groups and completed an online survey. Participants undertook a structured clinical interview and completion of self-report instruments to characterize clinical profiles and associated characteristics. In addition, each participant completed the Minnesota Impulse Disorders Interview to screen for disorders with impulsive features. Of the 378 adults with BFRBs, 134 (35.4%) screened positive for at least one disorder with features of impulsivity with the most common being compulsive buying (18.3%) and problematic use of the internet (17.5%). Participants with a co-occurring disorder of impulsivity reported significantly worse pulling and picking symptoms (p < .001), were more likely to have co-occurring alcohol problems (p < .001) and PTSD (p < .001), and scored higher regarding dissociative symptoms (p < .001). BFRBs are associated with a range of impulsive disorders and the comorbidity may have important treatment implications.

Avaliação da relação entre eventos traumáticos infantis e comportamentos autolesivos em adolescentes / Evaluation of the relationship between childhood traumatic events and self-injurious behavior in adolescents / Evaluación de la relación entre eventos traumáticos infantiles y comportamiento autolesivo en adolescentes

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre eventos traumáticos (ET) na infância e a ocorrência de comportamentos autolesivos em adolescentes. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Questionário sobre Traumas na Infância (QUESI) e o Inventário de Autolesão Deliberada - reduzido (IAD-r). Participaram 494 estudantes do ensino médio de ambos os sexos e idade entre 15 e 18 anos (M = 16,4). Destes, 58,5% afirmaram ter sofrido abuso emocional de forma recorrente e 19,0% e 59,5% assumiram já ter sofrido abuso sexual e físico, respectivamente. Quanto à prática de autolesão, 65,0% revelaram já ter se engajado em comportamentos autolesivos. De acordo com a análise de Regressão Logística Binomial, todos os tipos de ET exibiram associação significativa com a prática de comportamentos autolesivos. A análise de moderação a respeito da interação entre a ocorrência de ET infantis e a prática de autolesão revelou ausência de moderação pelo sexo e pela idade. Porém, quanto ao abuso físico, o efeito de moderação da idade apresentou significância estatística limítrofe e indicou que os adolescentes mais novos, de 15 e 16 anos, que sofreram este tipo de abuso na infância, foram mais susceptíveis à prática autolesiva. Portanto, as altas taxas de ET e de autolesão encontradas nesta pesquisa revelam a gravidade do problema. Espera-se que esta investigação possa contribuir para a elaboração de intervenções para prevenção e controle dos fatores de risco que acometem a população infanto-juvenil.(AU)

This research aimed to verify the relationship between traumatic events (TE) in childhood and the occurrence of self-injurious behavior in adolescents. The instruments used were the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (QUESI) and the Deliberate Self-Injury Inventory - reduced (IAD-r). The sample was composed of 494 high school students of both genders and aged between 15 and 18 years old (M = 16.4). Of those, 58.5% declared to have suffered recurring emotional abuse and 19.0% declared to have suffered sexual abuse and 59.5% physical abuse. Regarding the practice of self-harm, 65.0% reported having already engaged in self-injurious behaviors. According to the Binomial Logistic Regression analysis, all types of TE were associated with the practice of self-injurious behaviors. The moderation analysis between the occurrence of childhood TE and self-injury showed no moderation by sex or age. However, regarding physical abuse, the moderating effect of age showed borderline statistical significance and indicated that younger adolescents, 15 and 16 years old, who suffered this type of abuse in childhood, were more susceptible to self-injurious behavior. Therefore, the high rates of TE and self-injury found in this research reveal the seriousness of the problem. It is hoped for this investigation to contribute to the development of interventions to prevent and control risk factors that affect children and adolescents.(AU)

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo verificar la relación entre eventos traumáticos (ET) en la infancia y la ocurrencia de conductas autolesivas en adolescentes. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Cuestionario de Trauma Infantil (QUESI) y el Inventario de Autolesiones Deliberadas -reducido (IAD-r). Participaron 494 estudiantes de la secundaria, de ambos sexos y con edades entre 15 y 18 años (M = 16,4). De estos, el 58,5% afirmaron haber sufrido maltrato emocional de forma recurrente, el 19,0% dijeron haber sufrido maltrato sexual y el 59,5%, maltrato físico. En cuanto a la práctica de la autolesión, el 65,0% informaron haber realizado conductas autolesivas. El análisis de Regresión Logística Binomial mostró que todos los tipos de ET tuvieron una asociación significativa con la práctica de conductas autolesivas. El análisis de la moderación respecto a la interacción entre la ocurrencia de ET infantil y la práctica de la autolesión reveló una ausencia de moderación por sexo o edad. En cuanto al maltrato físico, el efecto moderador de la edad mostró una significación estadística marginal e indicó que los adolescentes más jóvenes, de 15 y 16 años, que sufrieron este tipo de maltrato en la infancia, son más susceptibles a la práctica de autolesiones. Por lo tanto, las altas tasas de ET y autolesiones encontradas en esta investigación revelan la gravedad del problema. Se espera que esta investigación contribuya con el desarrollo de intervenciones para la prevención y control de los factores de riesgo que afectan a niños y adolescentes.(AU)