Sixty-two first-episode psychotic patients who were neuroleptic-naive
were studied to examine predictors of acute dystonia after treatment with
haloperidol. Twenty-three patients developed dystonia, two of them despite
being treated with biperiden. Biperiden significantly prevented dystonic
reactions. Dystonia development was significantly related to younger age,
severity of illness, and negative symptoms at baseline and showed a trend
to be related to positive symptoms as well. No significant effect of gender
or diagnosis was found. The authors suggest that young, severely ill
patients in their first psychotic episode who have never been treated with
neuroleptics might be at higher risk to develop dystonia.Abstract Teaser