Assessment of the extrapyramidal side effects among psychosis patients consuming antipsychotic medication with a view to develop an information leaflet on early recognition and management of extrapyramidal side effects in SS selected hospital at Raipur

Abstract

Introduction: Patients suffering from physical illnesses are given specific treatment because the causes are specific and the signs and symptoms are specific. The doctor generally knows how the treatment works, and the patient co-operates with the doctors, and nurses, in order to get better. In psychiatric hospital the treatment may not be so specific and most patients are given more than one treatment. The nurse has an extremely important role to play in the treatment of the mentally ill. Her actions, attitudes and skills to help him to deal with his problems are themselves an essential part of his treatment. Objectives: The main objective was to assess the extrapyramidal side effects among psychosis patients consuming antipsychotic medication. Secondary objective was to find out the association of extrapyramidal side effects with selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methodology: 60 psychosis patients attending outpatient and inpatient department of psychiatry in Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh who receive antipsychotic medications were assessed for extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotic drugs. The conceptual framework adopted for study was based on Health Belief Model. Modified Simpson Angus Scale (MSAS) was used to assess/measure extrapyramidal side effects. Patients scoring less than 3 were considered ‘normal’. Patients scoring 3 to 5 were considered having ‘minimal movement disorder’. Those scoring 6 to 11 have ‘clinically significant degree of movement disorder’. And those scoring 12 to 17 were present with ‘severe degree of movement disorder’. Result: It was observed that highest number of subjects i.e. 37 (66.66%) were ‘normal’. 11 subjects (18.33%) were with ‘minimal movement disorder’. 7 subjects (11.66%) were with ‘clinically significant extrapyramidal side effects. Only 5 subjects (8.33%) had severe degree of movement disorder. There was significant association of extrapyramidal side effects with duration of illness, duration of antipsychotic use and immediate side effect of antipsychotics at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: It was concluded in this study that extrapyramidal side effects may occur among patients consuming antipsychotic medication. Also significant relationship was found between extrapyramidal side effects with duration of illness, duration of antipsychotic use and immediate effect of antipsychotic medication (1-2 days observation).