Forgetfulness: a role in noncompliance with antidepressant treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the degree of noncompliance with antidepressant treatment in the Alberta population and to investigate the reasons for noncompliance.


METHODS
We used data from the Alberta Mental Health Survey, a telephone survey conducted in 2003 (n = 5323 adults), to produce population-based estimates of the frequency of noncompliance and the reported reasons for noncompliance.


RESULTS
Reported noncompliance was 41.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.9% to 46.6%) for respondents taking 1, 2, or 3 antidepressants. Noncompliance for those taking 1 antidepressant was 42.0% (95%CI, 36.9% to 47.2%), whereas noncompliance for those taking 2 or 3 antidepressants was 39.4% (95%CI, 26.7% to 53.6%). Among respondents currently taking at least one antidepressant, 64.9% (95%CI, 57.4% to 71.7%) reported that forgetfulness was the most common reason for noncompliance. Of respondents taking 1 medication, 64.1% (95%CI, 56.0% to 71.4%) reported forgetfulness as did 71.3% (95%CI, 48.3% to 86.8%) of those taking 2 or 3 medications. Both the frequency of noncompliance and the reported reasons for noncompliance were independent of sex and age.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study replicates prior reports that indicate that noncompliance is common with antidepressant treatment. Forgetting to take medication is the most important reported reason for this noncompliance.
Bulloch
Andrew G
AG
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta. bulloch@ucalgary.ca
Adair
Carol E
CE
Patten
Scott B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013689:Telephone
D000928:Antidepressive Agents