title: Adherence to antiepileptic drugs and beliefs about medication among predominantly ethnic minority patients with epilepsy.
abstract: The current study examined beliefs about medication and their association with adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among predominantly ethnic minority, low-income patients with epilepsy (PWE). Seventy-two PWE completed standardized questionnaires. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to assess perceptions about AEDs and medications in general. Adherence was measured with the Morisky 4-item scale and via participant self-rating. On the Morisky scale, 63% of patients endorsed at least one item for nonadherence; forgetfulness was most often endorsed (50%). There was a significant relationship between seizure frequency and adherence (Morisky: r=0.33, P=0.006; self-rating: r=-0.35, P=0.003). Patients with lower self-rated adherence expressed greater concerns about AEDs (r=-0.25, P=0.036) and beliefs that medications, in general, may be intrinsically harmful (r=-0.26, P=0.032) and minimally beneficial (r=0.36; P<0.002), as compared with more adherent patients. These findings inform future educational interventions in this population of PWE.
authors: SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. luba.nakhutina@downstate.edu
authors: Luba
authors: L
authors: Nakhutina
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Seth A
authors: SA
authors: Margolis
authors: Ashley
authors: A
authors: Spada
authors: Arthur
authors: A
authors: Grant
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003469:Culture; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants