Extrapyramidal symptoms and residual psychopathology with low-dose neuroleptics

Residual psychopathology associated with EPS has been mainly assessed in experimental studies where neuroleptics were administered at standard, fixed dosages. The present study evaluates residual psychopathology in 69 schizophrenic patients treated with moderate, flexible doses of neuroleptics (430 mg eq. CPZ) at the out-patient Community Mental Health Services (CMHSs) in Bologna. Akathisia was present in 27.5 per cent of patients and parkinsonism in 27.5 per cent. A more severe psychopathological state was associated with both side-effects, as seen by significantly higher BPRS global scores. This severity was due to tension and anxiety-depression symptoms in patients with akathisia and to negative symptomatology in patients with parkinsonism, as shown by significant associations with BPRS subscales ANS-DEP and NEG, respectively. In conclusion, the present study underlines that EPS are frequent even in an out-patient setting where moderate neuroleptic doses are employed, and more importantly shows that in these conditions, the residual psychopathology resulting from EPS is clinically very significant. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.