Long-stay psychiatric patients: a prospective study revealing persistent antipsychotic-induced movement disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of persistent drug-induced movement disorders namely, tardive dyskinesia (TD), parkinsonism, akathisia and tardive dystonia in a representative sample of long-stay patients with chronic severe mental illness.


METHODS
Naturalistic study of 209, mainly white, antipsychotic-treated patients, mostly diagnosed with psychotic disorder. Of this group, the same rater examined 194 patients at least two times over a 4-year period, with a mean follow-up time of 1.1 years, with validated scales for TD, parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dystonia.


RESULTS
The frequencies of persistent movement disorders in the sample were 28.4% for TD, 56.2% for parkinsonism, 4.6% for akathisia and 5.7% for tardive dystonia. Two-thirds of the participants displayed at least one type of persistent movement disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent movement disorder continues to be the norm for long-stay patients with chronic mental illness and long-term antipsychotic treatment. Measures are required to remedy this situation.
Psychiatric Centre GGZ Centraal, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. robertobakker@gmail.com
P Roberto
PR
Bakker
Izaäk W
IW
de Groot
Jim
J
van Os
Peter N
PN
van Harten
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents