Factors in the development of severe forms of tardive dyskinesia

The authors evaluated 558 patients for tardive dyskinesia. They found that the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia was 34%. There were no differences between men and women in prevalence of tardive dyskinesia. However, severe tardive dyskinesia was found to occur more in male patients 40 years old or younger and in female patients 71 years old or older. Patients with mild tardive dyskinesia received more neuroleptics than did patients with moderate and severe forms. However, patients with moderate tardive dyskinesia had significantly more drug-free periods in their drug histories than did patients with mild tardive dyskinesia.