Exploring Patterns of Unwanted Behaviours in Adults with P rader– W illi Syndrome

Background Obsessive‐compulsive ( O ‐ C ) traits, and excessive food intake are well known behavioural manifestations among individuals with Prader–Willi Syndrome ( PWS ). Other unwanted behaviours are also frequently observed, but they need a more specific investigation, especially in the adult population. Methods The behaviour of 31 PWS adults was investigated via the Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised ( SCL ‐90‐R), the Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist (Y‐ BOCS ‐ SC ), and the Prader–Willi Behavioural Checklist ( PBC ). The PBC is a quick screening questionnaire prompted specifically for the investigation on adults with PWS . Results Statistical clustering revealed two patterns of unwanted behaviours from the PBC . Behaviours belonging to the first cluster (e.g. Excessive food intake, Skin picking) appear to be linked to the usual phenotypic manifestation of PWS . By contrast, many other behaviours (e.g. some O‐C symptoms and aggressive actions) could show a relationship also to individual psychopathologies. Conclusions Both internal (Anxiety and Depression) and external (Hostility) difficulties in managing impulses should account for individually distinct behaviours in adults with PWS .