Inge Jager, Pelle de Koning, Tim Bost, Damiaan Denys, Nienke Vulink

The Brief: “Analyze a large sample with detailed clinical data of misophonia subjects in order to determine the psychiatric, somatic and psychological nature of the condition.”

Results: “The diagnosis of misophonia was confirmed in 575 of 779 referred subjects (74%). In the sample of misophonia subjects (mean age, 34.17 [SD = 12.22] years; 399 women [69%])…

148 (26%) subjects had comorbid traits of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder…
58 (10%) mood disorders…
31 (5%) attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder…
14 (3%) autism spectrum conditions…

Two percent reported tinnitus and 1% hyperacusis. In a random subgroup of 109 subjects we performed audiometry, and found unilateral hearing loss in 3 of them (3%). Clinical neurological examination and additional blood test showed no abnormalities. Psychological tests revealed perfectionism (97% CPQ>25) and neuroticism (stanine 7 NEO-PI-R). Quality of life was heavily impaired and associated with misophonia severity…”

Limitations: “This was a single site study, leading to possible selection–and confirmation bias, since AMC-criteria were used.”

Conclusion: “This study with 575 subjects is the largest misophonia sample ever described. Based on these results we propose a set of revised criteria useful to diagnose misophonia as a psychiatric disorder.”