The reliability of compliance assessments performed by doctors and patients during neuroleptic treatment: a comparison of compliance ratings.
OBJECTIVE
To compare compliance assessments made by doctors and patients during neuroleptic drug treatment and to detect any variables explaining the discrepancies between their ratings.


METHODS
Compliance reports regarding neuroleptic medication were collected from 100 in-patients and out-patients and from their doctors. Re-ratings were performed after 1-2 weeks. Compliance ratings were compared with demographic, treatment and symptom-related variables and with the Attitudes to Neuroleptic Treatment (ANT) questionnaire using logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The doctors' and patients' compliance ratings showed good test-retest reliability (r=0.80, doctors; r=0.81, patients) and concordance (79% of the cases within the limits of +/-25%-units deviation). Variables explaining discrepancies between the ratings included female gender, a low level of education, the diagnosis of mania, a high neuroleptic dose and several items from the ANT scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Manic episodes, negative attitudes to neuroleptic medication and a high-dose treatment increase the risk for deviating views of compliance in the doctor-patient relationship.
Kampman
O
O
Tampere University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Tampere Community Mental Health Care, Rautatienkatu 10, FIN-33100 Tampere, Finland.
Lehtinen
K
K
Lassila
V
V
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012646:Self Administration / Q000523:psychology*; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents