Clinical characteristics and associated factors in antipsychotic-induced akathisia of Asian patients with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the prevalence of akathisia and its relationship to a number of sociodemographic and clinical factors in a population of Chinese inpatients with Schizophrenia.


METHODS
Six-hundred and forty-five patients were recruited for the study. Akathisia was assessed using the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale (BARS), dyskinesia by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and extrapyramidal side effects (EPSE) were assessed by the Simpson-Angus Rating Scale (SARS).


RESULTS
Only 35 (5%) patients were assessed to have akathisia. There was no gender or ethnic difference in the rates of akathisia. However, the majority of the patients (65%) were receiving an anticholinergic agent at the time of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings of an overlap between TD and EPSE support the suggestion that there may be a common vulnerability for these movement disorders. The finding of a low rate of akathisia among our Asian patients suggests an inter-ethnic difference in the vulnerability for the development of akathisia. However, comparing our results with the rates reported from other countries may be hampered by the diagnostic and methodological differences across studies.
Chong
S A
SA
Woodbridge Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, 10 Buangkok Green, Singapore, Singapore. CHONG_Siow_Ann@imh.com.sg
Mythily
Remington
G
G
D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents