Real-World Screening Study Shows High Rates of Tardive Dyskinesia That Interfere With Quality of Life 

Data from the RE-KINECT study (NCT03062033) showed that 28% of the 739 participants had clinician-confirmed possible tardive dyskinesia (TD). Of those withTD, 75% said they have felt self-conscious or embarrassed about involuntary movements they felth they could not control. More than 40% of participants with possible TD reported that involuntary movements affected their ability to continue usual activities somewhat or a lot, including talking, socializing, and being productive. These data was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology and demonstrate the importance of raising awareness of tardive dyskinesia and its impact on individuals, especially during Mental Health Month and Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week (May 3–9).

"The real-world data from the RE-KINECT study are valuable for informing treatment decisions in clinical practice and demonstrate the importance of assessing the impact of involuntary movements from possible TD on quality of life and daily functioning," said Stanley N. Caroff, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. "When screening and diagnosing patients with possible TD, it may be informative to ask patients whether involuntary movements from possible TD have had any impact on their ability to continue usual activities, be productive, take care of oneself, or socialize. For patients with visible or reported involuntary movements in the face or mouth, questions about their ability to talk, eat, and breathe might also be helpful. It is important to include assessments from patients and caregivers on a patient's ability to perform daily activities as there is clearly a negative social impact of the stigmatizing movements of tardive dyskinesia."

In the US, nearly 1 in 5 adults live with mental illness. Many people living with mental illness may also suffer from TD, an involuntary movement disorder that is associated with the prolonged use of antipsychotics, commonly prescribed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It is estimated that TD may affect asa many as 500,000 people in the US.

"The timely publication of the real-world RE-KINECT study during Mental Health Month is important as it aims to uncover the emotional and physical challenges that people experience living with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression while also managing the devastating effects of involuntary movements from possible tardive dyskinesia on their daily lives," said Eiry W. Roberts, MD, chief medical officer at Neurocrine Biosciences. "Many patients reported that involuntary movements from possible tardive dyskinesia impact their ability to talk, socialize, and be productive, leaving many of them feeling self-conscious or embarrassed. These data support the continued need to raise awareness of involuntary movements from possible tardive dyskinesia and the importance of properly screening, diagnosing, and helping to relieve the suffering that many of these patients are experiencing."