Risk Factors for Tardive Dyskinesia in a Large Population of Youths and Adults

This study was designed to identify predisposing factors for tardive dyskinesia (TD) in youths and adults within a large, predominantly developmentally disabled and mentally ill population. The findings support previously reported risk factors for TD, including increasing age, use of anticholinergic medication for those over 40 years old, and long duration of neuroleptic exposure for those over 18 years of age. Higher cumulative levels of "typical" neuroleptic dosage decreased the risk for TD for those over 18. Novel findings included the benefit of personality disorder in individuals 18 to 40 years old and the strong risk factor of profound mental retardation in all age groups. These findings reveal further complex interactions to the risk factors for TD.