What Is the Risk of Developing Parkinsonism Following Neuroleptic Use?

Use of neuroleptic medications is common among elderly patients. Using multivariate models, the authors found that use of antipsychotic medications, age, and disability were strong predictors of developing self-reported Parkinson disease (PD) in the subsequent year among 1992 to 2000 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey participants. Although more research is needed, these data suggest that 126 Medicare beneficiaries would need to be treated with neuroleptic medications to cause one additional case of self-reported PD.