Non-compliance with treatment in patients suffering from schizophrenia: a study to evaluate possible contributing factors.
BACKGROUND
Various factors have been associated with non-compliance with treatment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine this association using standardised measures.


METHODS
Compliance was determined and socio-demographic and illness variables recorded. Insight, subjective response to medication and relative's knowledge and attitude about schizophrenia were measured.


RESULTS
Non-compliant patients were younger, had shorter durations of illness, had an episodic course of illness, reported side-effects less frequently, made incorrect attributions to current positive symptoms more frequently and had a more negative subjective response to medication. Key relatives of non-compliant patients were more often employed.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients need to experience for themselves the merits of taking medication before accepting the need to take them long-term. Psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral interventions need to be targeted at changing attributions to current positive symptoms. The presence of a key person in the community is crucial to improve compliance.
Agarwal
M R
MR
Department of Psychiatry, Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Sharma
V K
VK
Kishore Kumar
K V
KV
Lowe
D
D
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents