Prevalence of tardive dyskinesia among psychiatric in-patients at Mathari Hospital, Nairobi.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia among psychiatric in-patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Mathari Hospital, Nairobi, the main psychiatric referral hospital in Kenya.


METHODS
Two hundred and two randomly selected in-patients seen in the hospital between January and April 2000.


RESULTS
The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia was 11.9%. Neither the psychiatric diagnosis nor the sex was significantly associated with tardive dyskinesia. The antipsychotic dosage was also not associated with tardive dyskinesia but an increase in age was significantly associated with the abnormal movements.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence rate of tardive dyskinesia among patients at Mathari Hospital is much lower than that found in western countries but similar to that from Asian studies. These findings indicate the possibility of racial differences in the aetiology of TD. Prospective cross-racial studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
Gatere
N
N
Mathari Hospital, P.O. Box 40663, Nairobi, Kenya.
Othieno
C J
CJ
Kathuku
D M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents