title: Antipsychotic-induced akathisia in delirium: A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Akathisia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by subjective and objective restlessness. It is a common side effect in patients taking antipsychotics and other psychotropics. Patients with delirium are frequently treated with antipsychotic medications that are well known to induce akathisia as a side effect. However, the prevalence, phenomenology, and management of akathisia in patients with delirium remain largely unknown. The purpose of this review was to examine the medical literature in order to establish the current state of knowledge regarding the prevalence of antipsychotic-induced akathisia in patients with delirium.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases. Ten studies addressing the incidence of akathisia in patients taking antipsychotic medication for delirium were identified and included in our review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The included studies reported a variable prevalence of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. A higher prevalence was found in patients taking haloperidol. Among atypical antipsychotics, paliperidone and ziprasidone were associated with a higher risk of akathisia. The risk for akathisia appeared to be a dose-related phenomenon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies using specific scales for evaluation of akathisia in delirium are lacking. Some populations, such as patients with cancer or terminally ill patients in palliative care settings taking antipsychotics for the treatment of delirium, could be at higher risk for development of akathisia as a side effect.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,New York,New York.
authors.forename: Fernando Espi
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Forcen
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,New York,New York.
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsoukas
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,New York,New York.
authors.forename: Yesne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alici
mesh_terms: D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003693:Delirium / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D018967:Risperidone
keywords: Akathisia; Antipsychotics; Delirium