US biopharmaceutical company Neurocrine Biosciences Inc (Nasdaq:NBIX) on Monday announced the release of findings from a new survey revealing the significant impact of tardive dyskinesia (TD) on people's ability to work, go to school, volunteer or actively look for employment.

About one in five surveyed working adults with TD reported quitting their job due to TD symptoms prior to treatment. The findings were released in recognition of Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week (May 3-9) to underscore the importance of increased awareness, early recognition and appropriate management of TD.

The quantitative survey was conducted online in the United States by Ipsos on behalf of Neurocrine Biosciences and included 100 individuals: 70 adults (average age 47 years) who have been diagnosed with TD by a healthcare provider and 30 caregivers of people with TD (average age 42 years).

The survey found that of 59 adults with TD who were working, in school, volunteering or actively looking for employment, approximately one in five, or 12 surveyed working adults, reported quitting their job primarily due to TD symptoms, and 19 reported having to step down from their work-related responsibilities or change job responsibilities because of TD symptoms. All 59 respondents reported missing an average of eight hours of work or school during the week prior to starting TD treatment.

Among the 19 surveyed working caregivers, many reported missing work or having interruptions to their own lives due to their loved ones' TD symptoms prior to starting treatment.

According to Neurocrine Biosciences, earlier screening and accurate diagnosis of TD are critical to ensuring patients, who are already managing their underlying serious mental illness, receive appropriate, evidence-based care. The American Psychiatric Association clinical guidelines recommend first-line, FDA-approved treatment with a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor for those with moderate to severe TD or those with mild TD if the movements are disruptive. Despite these recommendations, only an estimated one out of 10 individuals with TD are treated with a VMAT2 inhibitor.