Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication, relapse and rehospitalisation in recent-onset schizophrenia.
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 non-adherent to anti-psychotic medication.


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).


CONCLUSIONS
Non-adherence was associated with relapse, hospital admission and having persistent psychotic symptoms. Interventions to increase adherence are needed.


BACKGROUND
Current Controlled Trials NCT00184509. Key words: Adherence, schizophrenia, antipsychotic medication, admittances, relapse.
Morken
Gunnar
G
Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, NTNU, N-7006 Trondheim, Norway. gunnar.morken@ntnu.no
Widen
Jan H
JH
Grawe
Rolf W
RW
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents