title: Perceived risk of relapse and role of medication: comparison between patients with psychosis and their caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Studies have suggested that appraisal of relapse risk and knowledge of medications in relapse prevention may shape one's reactions towards an illness and treatment, and influence the illness outcome. The aim of this study is to explore patients' and caregivers' knowledge of medications, perceived chances of relapse and its predictors, as well as their relations with medication adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patient-caregiver dyads participated in the study. Their knowledge about psychosis, specific knowledge about medications and course of illness of their own and their relatives, medication adherence and symptomatology of patients were assessed. Differences in knowledge between patients and caregivers were compared. The link between adherence with perceived relapse risk and consequences of stopping medication were explored. Multinomial regression analyses were performed to examine predictors of perceived relapse risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More patients underestimated their chance of relapse and were unaware that stopping medication may lead to relapse. The lack of understanding about the effect of stopping medication of both caregivers and patients was related to poor medication adherence of patients. Patients perceived of having higher chance of relapse had more severe positive symptoms. Positive symptoms of patients and greater knowledge about psychosis of caregivers were related to higher caregivers' perceived relapse risk of their relative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study explored the views of patients and their caregivers on the perceived risk of relapse and role of medication in preventing relapse, and the potential significance. Specific interventions addressing these areas should be considered in developing relapse prevention programs.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Room 219, New Clinical Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China, kwsherry@hku.hk.
authors: Kit Wa Sherry
authors: KW
authors: Chan
authors: Men Heng Marian
authors: MH
authors: Wong
authors: Christy Lai Ming
authors: CL
authors: Hui
authors: Edwin Ho Ming
authors: EH
authors: Lee
authors: Wing Chung
authors: WC
authors: Chang
authors: Eric Yu Hai
authors: EY
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring