title: Stigma, discrimination and medication adherence in schizophrenia: results from the Swedish COAST study.
abstract: The aims of this naturalistic non-interventional study were to quantify the level of stigma and discrimination in persons with schizophrenia and to test for potential associations between different types of stigma and adherence to antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medication use was electronically monitored with a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®) for 12 months in 111 outpatients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychosis (DSM-IV). Stigma was assessed at endpoint using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale (DISC). Single DISC items that were most frequently reported included social relationships in making/keeping friends (71%) and in the neighborhood (69%). About half of the patients experienced discrimination by their families, in intimate relationships, regarding employment and by mental health staff. Most patients (88%) wanted to conceal their mental health problems from others; 70% stated that anticipated discrimination resulted in avoidance of close personal relationships. Non-adherence (MEMS® adherence≤0.80) was observed in 30 (27.3%). When DISC subscale scores (SD) were entered in separate regression models, neither experienced nor anticipated stigma was associated with adherence. Our data do not support an association between stigma and non-adherence. Further studies in other settings are needed as experiences of stigma and levels of adherence and their potential associations might vary by a healthcare system or cultural and sociodemographic contexts.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brain
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sameby
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allerby
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quinlan
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Joas
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Margda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents