Patients taking antidopaminergic agents are at risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD), a disorder characterized by abnormal, involuntary movements of the face, trunk, and limbs. However, women may face a higher risk than men.
"Women, especially in older age groups, are disproportionately affected compared to men," noted Mohsin Raza, MD, MSc, of Universal Health Services' Dover Behavioral Health System in Delaware, and colleagues in StatPearls.
This disparity is also recognized by practice guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association for treating schizophrenia, which list female sex as a key factor associated with a greater vulnerability for developing TD.
Higher Prevalence in Women
Meta-analyses have indicated that the average prevalence of TD is approximately 20% to 25% among antipsychotic-treated individuals, Raza's team noted. The incidence among women is estimated to be around 30% following 1 year of cumulative exposure to antipsychotics, according to a review by Elyse Cornett, PhD, of Louisiana State University Health in Shreveport, and colleagues.
