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Relationship Between Iron Status and Chronic Akathisia in an In-patient Population with Chronic Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Thomas R. E. Barnes*
Affiliation:
Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School
Simon M. Halstead
Affiliation:
Springfield Hospital, Academic Unit, Horton Hospital
Patrick W. A. Little
Affiliation:
Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Department of Chemical Pathology, London
*
Academic Unit, Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8PZ

Abstract

Iron status and akathisia were assessed in 105 long-stay in-patients who fulfilled DSM–III–R criteria for schizophrenia, all but three of whom were receiving antipsychotic medication. Chronic akathisia was diagnosed in 23% and pseudoakathisia in 20%. No significant correlation was found between serum iron concentration and the severity of akathisia. There was no significant difference in serum iron concentration between patients with chronic akathisia and those without. However, serum iron and percentage saturation were significantly raised in patients with pseudoakathisia compared with patients with chronic akathisia, and tended to be higher than in patients with akathisia. These findings do not support an association between low serum iron and chronic akathisia.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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