Medication adherence, ethnicity, and the influence of multiple psychosocial and financial barriers.
Medication adherence is critical for patients with bipolar disorder to avoid symptom exacerbation and diminished quality of life. Most analyses consider adherence barriers individually rather than conjointly, while neglecting potential ethnic differences. 435 patients in the Continuous Improvement for Veterans in Care--Mood Disorders study reported multiple financial and psychosocial factors influencing adherence. Logistic regression modeled adherence as a function of perceived barriers, including cost burden, access, binge drinking, poor therapeutic alliance, and medication beliefs. Nearly half the cohort experienced adherence difficulty, averaging 2.8 barriers, with minority veterans reporting lower adherence than white patients, particularly financial burden and treatment access. Total barriers were significantly associated with worse adherence (OR = 1.24 per barrier), notably poor medication beliefs, binge drinking, and difficulty accessing psychiatric specialists (ORs of 2.41, 1.95 and 1.73, respectively). Veterans with bipolar disorder experience numerous adherence barriers, with certain obstacles proving especially pernicious. Fortunately tailored clinical interventions can improve adherence, particularly by addressing modifiable risk factors.
Zeber
John E
JE
Veterans Affairs HSR&D: South Texas Veterans Health Care System (VERDICT), 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78229-4404, USA. zeber@uthscsa.edu
Miller
Alexander L
AL
Copeland
Laurel A
LA
McCarthy
John F
JF
Zivin
Kara
K
Valenstein
Marcia
M
Greenwald
Devra
D
Kilbourne
Amy M
AM
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016903:Drug Monitoring