Attitudes toward medication and the clinical variables in schizophrenia: Structural equation models.
OBJECTIVE
Our study uses data from a large clinical trial to further dissect the contributors attitude toward antipsychotic medication measured with the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) in schizophrenia.


METHODS
A total of 227 consecutive outpatients (140 males, 87 females) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV criteria were evaluated. Structural equation models (SEM) were used to examine the relationship between attitudes toward medication as measured with the DAI and clinical variables assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF).


RESULTS
Among four models, the data better fit a model in which attitudes toward medication (DAI-30) was predicted by PANSS Positive and Insight measures, and GAF (goodness-of-fit = 0.99).


CONCLUSIONS
The data best fit a model where the most complex interaction of insight measures and positive symptoms does predict attitudes toward medication.
Rossi
Alessandro
A
Department of Experimental Medicine at University of L'Aquila, Institute of Clinical Research 'Villa Serena' Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Città S. Angelo, Italy;
Pacifico
Roberta
R
Stratta
Paolo
P