Developmental disability and psychiatric conditions in 39 patients with stuttering

Stuttering may be related to developmental disability or mental diseases such as social anxiety disorder. However, there are few reports about these comorbid conditions in stuttering patients in Japan. In order to comprehend the relationship between stuttering and comorbid conditions, we conducted a chart review of 39 stuttering cases who sought consultation at Keio University Hospital in 2012 and 2013. Fifteen percent of the subjects had the following comorbid psychiatric conditions: mood disorder (depression and adjustment disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, epilepsy and tic disorder. Eighteen percent of the subjects had developmental disability, including definite or suspected developmental disability, and language development disorder. The age at which patients with developmental disability began stuttering was higher than that in patients without such disability. These findings suggest that clinical presentation of stuttering may be affected by comorbid developmental disability.