Treatment Adherence in Mental Disorders: Factors Associated with Non-adherence Identified by Patients

Abstract

Introduction

Treatment non-adherence is a major factor contributingto poor clinical outcomes in patients with mental disorders. Patient adherenceto treatment is likely to be influenced by a complex interaction of treatment, patient, and sociodemographic and clinical factors. Understandwhich factors identified by patient may have a high impact in treatmentadherence, can enable thedevelopment of more effective strategies.

Objectives

a. to assess the factors associated with non-adherenceidentified by patients with mental health disorders(MHD).

Aims

The study explored preditors related with non-adherenceidentified by patients with MHD.

Methods

In this cross sectional study we use a conveniencesample of patients with MHD. The patients completed a clinical and socio-demographicquestionnaire and additional measures to assess illness perception, symptomseverity, treatment adherence and attitudes towards medication. The completionof the questionnaires took approximately 45 min.

Results

A convenience sampleof 121 patients (mean age= 39.8; ± 9.3) in treatment in a variety of settings is beingcollected in the mental health departments of threegeneral hospitals in Lisbon great area. The majority ofpatients identified the following factors related to treatment as their reasonfor non-adherence: side effects (50.4%;n=61); lack insight (49.6%;n=60) and no recognition the needof treatment (34.7%; n=42)

Conclusion

The results of this study can be used to further our understandingregarding adherence and non-adherence over time, better identification ofpatients who are at risk for becoming non-adherent and who will have difficultydeveloping adherence, and interventions to prevent such problems.