Investigators of a study looked to analyze the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, or schizophrenia by comparing those with tardive dyskinesia (TD; n = 197) and patients without TD (n = 219). HRQoL in both groups were compared with the HRQoL of the general population as well. Using a cross-sectional web-based survey, HRQoL was measured using the SF-12 Health Survey, Version 2, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form, the Social Withdrawal subscale of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, and 2 questions regarding movement disorders.

It was found that those with TD had considerably worse HRQoL and social withdrawal than patients without TD, and these differences were distinct with physical HRQoL domains vs mental health domains. Based on self- or clinician-based ratings, patients with more severe TD had considerably worse HRQoL vs those with less severe TD. TD impact was significantly greater in patients with schizophrenia compared with patients with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.

Reference: McEvoy J, Gandhi SK, Rizio AA, et al. Effect of tardive dyskinesia on quality of life in patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. Qual Life Res. 2019;28(12):3303-3312. doi:10.1007/s11136-019-02269-8