Awkward movements: Extrapyramidal symptoms in a group of patients treated with aripiprazole long acting injectable

Abstract

Introduction

Extrapyramidal symptoms are well known as side effects in therapy with antipsychotics. Explore this side effects is mandatory because they normally are a cause of treatment discontinuation or assess a change in medication. Some studies notice how long acting injectable antipsychotic cause less extrapyramidal symptoms than oral treatment, others does not find differences.

Objective

The aim of this study is to analyze the extrapyramidal symptoms presented on a group of patients treated with aripiprazole long acting injectable (ALAI) follow-up in a mental health care center.

Methods

Descriptive study of a group of patients treated with ALAI. To assess the possible extrapyramidal symptoms due to treatment we have used the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS). The follow up was 3 months after initiation of treatment.

Results

Six patients were included in the study, 2 women (33.3%) and 4 men (66.7%). The mean age of the sample was 37 years old. The different diagnoses of the group were 4 patients with psychotic disorder (66.7%; 2 schizophrenia, 1 schizoaffective disorder and 1 delusional chronic disorder) and the other 2 had an affective disorder (33.3%; both bipolar disorder). The average score for the SAS was 1.2 meaning normal results and therefore no significant extrapyramidal symptoms.

Conclusions

In our sample the average of the results obtained by applying the SAS is considered within normal limits. In our case as to extrapyramidal effects ALAI treatment has been well tolerated. A larger sample would be needed to obtain more reliable results.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.