Prevalence and characteristics of patients with pseudoakathisia.
Pseudoakathisia (PsA) is characterised by the typical motor features of akathisia but there is a lack of subjective awareness. A total of 153 in-patients on neuroleptic medication hospitalized in two representative wards of the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica in Athens were rated on the census date using the Rating Scale for Drug-Induced Akathisia [Barnes, Br. J. Psychiatry, 154 (1989) 672-676], the Rating Scale for Extrapyramidal Side-Effects [Simpson and Angus, Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 212 (Suppl.) (1970) 11-19] and the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale [US Department of Health, Education and Welfare, ECDEU Assessment Manual (1976) pp. 534-537]. Eight subjects of the total in-patient population were found to have PsA of chronic type (point prevalence 5.23%). The point-prevalence of PsA among schizophrenic patients was 4.76%. In addition to the diagnosis of chronic pseudoakathisia, five patients (62.5%) had a concurrent diagnosis of chronic parkinsonism. Among patients with PsA, significant correlations were found between parkinsonism score and current daily dose of neuroleptics or high potency neuroleptics. There is evidence of a relationship between chronic pseudoakathisia, chronic parkinsonism and daily dose of neuroleptic.
Havaki-Kontaxaki
B J
BJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sophias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece. bkont@eexi.gr
Kontaxakis
V P
VP
Christodoulou
G N
GN
D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D002746:Chlorpromazine