Impact of possible tardive dyskinesia on physical wellness and social functioning: results from the real-world RE-KINECT study

BACKGROUND: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and potentially disabling movement disorder associated with antipsychotic use. Data from RE-KINECT, a real-world study of antipsychotic-treated outpatients, were analyzed to assess the effects of possible TD on patient health and social functioning. METHODS: Analyses were conducted in Cohort 1 (patients with no abnormal involuntary movements) and Cohort 2 (patients with possible TD per clinician judgment). Assessments included: EuroQoL’s EQ-5D-5L utility (health); Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) total score (social functioning); patient- and clinician-rated severity of possible TD (“none”, “some”, “a lot”); and patient-rated impact of possible TD (“none”, “some”, “a lot”). Regression models were used to analyze the following: associations between higher (worse) severity/impact scores and lower (worse) EQ-5D-5L utility (indicated by negative regression coefficients); and associations between higher (worse) severity/impact scores and higher (worse) SDS total score (indicated by positive regression coefficients). RESULTS: In Cohort 2 patients who were aware of their abnormal movements, patient-rated TD impact was highly and significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L utility (regression coefficient: − 0.023, P < 0.001) and SDS total score (1.027, P < 0.001). Patient-rated severity was also significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L utility (− 0.028, P < 0.05). Clinician-rated severity was moderately associated with both EQ-5D-5L and SDS, but these associations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were consistent in evaluating the impacts of possible TD on their lives, whether based on subjective ratings (“none”, “some”, “a lot”) or standardized instruments (EQ-5D-5L, SDS). Clinician-rated severity of TD may not always correlate with patient perceptions of the significance of TD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41687-023-00551-5.