INTRODUCTION:
Akathisia (Greek “not to sit”) is a movement disorder characterized by a subjective, inner sense of restlessness and difficulty in staying still and is often related to the initiation of or rapid escalation of antipsychotic medication.1 Akathisia is commonly accompanied by escalated levels of anxiety, agitation and dysphoric affect.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of all available literature in order to assess the evidence supporting or discarding a potential relationship between antipsychotic-induced akathisia and suicidal behaviour.
STUDY-DESIGN:
A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
METHOD:
Four studies that met inclusion criteria were included in the study.
RESULTS:
- Of the four studies, two found a weak correlation between antipsychotic-related akathisia and suicidal behavior, a finding that was not supported by the remaining two studies.
- Of the four one study suggested that there was no significant differences in total Hamilton depression rating scale(HAM-D) and brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) scores between the patients with and without akathisia.
- Another study suggested that there was a correlation between akathisia and suicidal behaviour, they were not able to establish causality between these two clinical phenomena.
CONCLUSION:
The search yielded very few studies for inclusion. On the basis of the existing evidence, akathisia cannot be reliably linked to the presence of suicidal behaviour in patients treated with antipsychotic medication. However, proactive screening for emerging suicidal behaviour in this vulnerable patient group is advisable.