Investigation the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors induced akathisia on life quality, treatment compliance and risk factors

Akathisia is an extrapyramidal side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) which could be confused often with anxiety, agitation and restless leg syndrome by clinicians and patients. The misdiagnoses of akathisia may results worsening psychiatric symptoms. The frequency of akathisia for SSRI/SNRI medications has been reported highly variable between the studies. The aims of this study are to investigate; (1) the frequency of akathisia, (2) the effects of akathisia on quality of life and, (3) the risk factors for akathisia in patients treated with SSRI/SNRI. The study was conducted in a sample of patients who treated with SSRI/SNRI (n=198). Patients were assessed for akathisia and life quality at their first visit after SSRI/SNRI initialization. The evaluation of akathisia was performed by Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale. Quality of life was assessed with SF-36 scale. Overall, the frequency of akathisia was 24%. The akathisia rates and Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale scores did not differ between SSRI and SNRI groups. Also, there were no significant differences between the sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine and duloxetine in akathisia rates and Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale scores. No differences in body mass index and gender were found. The median age of patients who have akathisia was lower in those without akathisia. Significant differences in physical functioning, role physical, vitality and mental health scores were observed for akathisia. There were no significant differences in terms of mean role emotional role, social functioning, bodily pain and general health for akathisia. The results suggest that individuals with younger age may be pre-disposed to a risk of akathisia. In addition, some quality of life parameters are affected by presence of akathisia. Further studies involving larger clinical samples are required to examine the differences between SSRIs and SNRIs for akathisia.