Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication, relapse and rehospitalisation in recent-onset schizophrenia
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Permanent lenke
http://hdl.handle.net/11250/352501Utgivelsesdato
2008Metadata
Vis full innførselSamlinger
Sammendrag
Background: The aims of this study were to describe outcome with respect to persistent
psychotic symptoms, relapse of positive symptoms, hospital admissions, and application of
treatment by coercion among patients with recent onset schizophrenia being adherent and nonadherent
to anti-psychotic medication.
Materials and methods: The study included 50 patients with recent onset schizophrenia,
schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorders. The patients were clinically stable at study entry and
had less than 2 years duration of psychotic symptoms. Good adherence to antipsychotic medication
was defined as less than one month without medication. Outcomes for poor and good adherence
were compared over a 24-month follow-up period.
Results: The Odds Ratio (OR) of having a psychotic relapse was 10.27 and the OR of being
admitted to hospital was 4.00 among non-adherent patients. Use of depot-antipsychotics were
associated with relapses (OR = 6.44).
Conclusion: Non-adherence was associated with relapse, hospital admission and having persistent
psychotic symptoms. Interventions to increase adherence are needed.