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Abnormal Movements in Never-Medicated Indian Patients with Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. G. McCreadie*
Affiliation:
Crichton Royal Hospital
R. Thara
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), C-46, 13th Street, Anna Nagar East, Madras – 600 040, India
S. Kamath
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), C-46, 13th Street, Anna Nagar East, Madras – 600 040, India
R. Padmavathy
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), C-46, 13th Street, Anna Nagar East, Madras – 600 040, India
S. Latha
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), C-46, 13th Street, Anna Nagar East, Madras – 600 040, India
N. Mathrubootham
Affiliation:
Railway Hospital, Madras, India
M. S. Menon
Affiliation:
Schizophrenia Research Foundation (India), C-46, 13th Street, Anna Nagar East, Madras – 600 040, India
*
R. G. McCreadie, Director of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, DG1 4TG

Abstract

Background

Historical records suggest dyskinesia was observed in severely ill institutionalised patients with schizophrenia in the pre-neuroleptic era More recent work has not found dyskinesia in never-medicated younger and middle aged patients. The present study complements this recent work and avoids the confounders of severity of illness and institutionalism by examining elderly patients in a wide variety of community settings.

Method

Movement disorders were examined in 308 elderly individuals in Madras, India, using the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale, the Simpson and Angus Parkinsonism Scale and the Barnes Akathisia Scale. Patients' mental state was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

Results

Dyskinesia was found in 15% of normal subjects (n=101, mean age 63 years), 15% of first degree blood relatives of younger schizophrenic patients (n=103, mean age 63 years), 38% of never medicated patients (n=21, mean age 65 years) and 41 % of medicated patients (n=83, mean age 57 years). The respective prevalences for Parkinsonism were 6%, 11 %, 24% and 36%; and for akathisia 9%, 5%, 21 % and 23%. Dyskinesia was associated with negative schizophrenic symptoms.

Conclusions

Dyskinesia in elderly schizophrenic patients is an integral part of the illness and not associated with antipsychotic medication.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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