Ricketts, E.JSnorrason, IKircanski, KAlexander, J.RStiede, J.TThamrin, HFlessner, C.AFranklin, M.EKeuthen, N.JWalther, M.RPiacentini, JStein, D.JWoods, D.W2024-08-112024-08-112019-08Ricketts EJ, Snorrason I, Kircanski K, Alexander JR, Stiede JT, Thamrin H, Flessner CA, Franklin ME, Keuthen NJ, Walther MR, Piacentini J, Stein DJ, Woods DW. A latent profile analysis of age of onset in trichotillomania. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2019 Aug;31(3):169-178.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31369656/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31369656/https://hdl.handle.net/11288/597156Background: Trichotillomania (TTM) onset may occur across the lifespan; however, adolescent onset is most frequently reported. Several studies have explored clinical differences between TTM age-of-onset groups with mixed results. We investigated empirically defined age-of-onset groups in adults with TTM, and clinical differences between groups. Methods: Participants included 1,604 adult respondents to an internet survey who endorsed DSM-IV-TR TTM criteria. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify TTM age-of-onset subgroups, which were then compared on demographic and clinical features. Results: The most optimal model was a 2-class solution comprised of a large group with average TTM onset during adolescence (n = 1,539; 95.9% of the sample; mean age of onset = 12.4) and a small group with average onset in middle adulthood (n = 65; 4.1% of the sample; mean age of onset = 35.6). The late-onset group differed from the early-onset group on several clinical variables (eg, less likely to report co-occurring bodyfocused repetitive behaviors). Conclusions: Findings suggest the presence of at least 2 distinct TTM age-of-onset subgroups: an early-onset group with onset during adolescence, and a late-onset group with onset in middle adulthood. Future research is needed to further validate these subgroups and explore their clinical utility.enTrichotillomaniaLatent profileAdolescent onsetArticleAnnals of Clinical Psychiatry