Race and tardive dyskinesia among outpatients at a CMHC

In a previous study of outpatients with chronic mental illness who were treated with neuroleptic medication, the authors found a higher incidence of tardive dyskinesia among blacks than among whites. In this study the authors examined psychosocial, clinical, treatment, and medical correlates of race that might explain this finding.

Extensive baseline data were obtained for 398 outpatients at risk for tardive dyskinesia. Pearson and Mantel-Haenszel chi square analyses were used to determine significant associations between a large number of variables and race.

Compared with whites, nonwhites were more likely to be younger, less skilled, and unmarried; to report contacts with relatives outside the home; to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia; and to receive higher doses of neuroleptic drugs primarily through depot medications. Nonwhites were less likely to receive nonneuroleptic psychotropics, to wear dentures, and to report social contact with fathers. None of these racial differences explained more than a trivial portion of the association between race and the incidence of tardive dyskinesia.

These results suggest the need for studies of differences in diagnostic and prescribing practices for black and white patients and of differences in the action and side effects of neuroleptics.