A preliminary communication of an insight scale in the assessment of lithium non-adherence among Chinese patients in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Studies on the relation between insight and medication adherence are limited in Chinese populations.


METHODS
Eighty Chinese outpatients with mood disorder and on lithium for at least one year were asked to complete an 11-item insight scale. Lithium adherence was determined by: (a) subjective report; (b) doctor's clinical impression; or (c) serum lithium level.


RESULTS
The overall insight score (median = 9, range 1-11) exhibited no significant difference between adherent (N = 58, 72.5%) and non-adherent (N = 22, 27.5%) patients. A two-factor model emerged on factor analysis. Lithium adherent (median = 7, range 1-7) patients had a significantly higher score than non-adherent (median = 6, range 0-7) patients on the 'medical help seeking' factor (Mann-Whitney U-test Z = 2.00, P < 0.05) but not the 'perception of illness' factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall conceptual structure of insight in Chinese and Western patients appears similar, but further study is required to explore the complexity of Chinese patients' explanatory models of their illness and to enhance the validity of the insight scale.
Wong
S S
SS
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Lee
S
S
Wat
K H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate