The prevalence of neuroleptic drug-induced tardive movement subsyndromes among schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients residing in the southern region of Israel.

The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of tardive movement disorders (TMD) among a group of institutionalized schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients in southern region of Israel. Chronic schizophrenic and schizoaffective inpatients of a psychiatric hospital and its affiliated hostels were screened for the presence of TMD subsyndromes. Twenty percent (107 patients) of 523 patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder exhibited TMD. Of those with TMD, 36% had only one subsyndrome, whereas 64% had a combination of several TMD subsyndromes. With regard to patients with TMD, the most frequent TMD subsyndrome was tardive tremor (TT). TT appeared more often in males compared to females and at a younger age (44.3+/-8 vs. 54.3+/-11 years, P<0.04). TD appearing in combination with other TMD subsyndromes was significantly more prevalent among females than in males (57% vs. 35%; P<0.02). TMD generally appears in a combined fashion. Further prospective studies from different geographical areas are recommended.