Tardive dyskinesia in older out-patients: a follow-up study

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a long-term potential adverse effect of neuroleptic treatment, and older age has been correlated with the development of TD. We conducted a chart review of current out-patients and examined annual Abnormal Inventory Movement Scale (AIMS) evaluations for the period 1987-1995 for 43 patients who started neuroleptic treatment after the age of 35 years. Patients (mean age 67 years) began neuroleptic treatment at a mean age of 46 years and were taking neuroleptics for 18 years on average. A total of 18 patients (42%) met the research criteria for TD, of whom all cases were mild except for three, which were moderate. Although TD was common, it rarely progressed in this naturalistic setting, suggesting that even for older patients maintenance neuroleptic treatment may be feasible for chronic psychosis.