Abstract | BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD) in affective disordered patients treated with lithium and to study the association of these symptoms with medication and other factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in all consenting outpatients attending an affective disorders clinic in a psychiatric hospital. The study sample consisted of 130 stable outpatients: 110 with bipolar disorder, 18 with unipolar (major) depression, and 2 with atypical affective disorder. At the time of evaluation, 110 patients were receiving lithium, 37 in combination with antidepressants and 19 with neuroleptics, and 40 had a history of neuroleptic treatment during the previous 6 months. The patients were assessed with the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) for parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia, and TD. The prevalence of these symptoms was calculated for all patients and by current lithium and neuroleptic intake. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the ESRS subscale scores and gender, age, diagnosis, and medication type. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: The combination of lithium and neuroleptics was associated with a high prevalence of EPS. The presence of TD in lithium-treated patients not treated with neuroleptics for at least 6 months is consistent with the hypothesis that lithium may exacerbate the vulnerability of affective disordered patients to dyskinesias.
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Authors | A M Ghadirian, L Annable, M C Bélanger, G Chouinard |
Journal | The Journal of clinical psychiatry
(J Clin Psychiatry)
Vol. 57
Issue 1
Pg. 22-8
(Jan 1996)
ISSN: 0160-6689 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8543543
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antipsychotic Agents
- Lithium
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Ambulatory Care
- Antipsychotic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Bipolar Disorder
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Depressive Disorder
(drug therapy, psychology)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Female
- Humans
- Lithium
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mood Disorders
(drug therapy)
- Parkinson Disease, Secondary
(chemically induced, epidemiology)
- Prevalence
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Regression Analysis
- Treatment Outcome
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