A descriptive study of factors affecting adherence to antipsychotic medication among patients of schizophrenia in adults and elderly age groups.
Keywords:
adherence, schizophrenia, antipsychoticAbstract
Aims: The present paper studies the factors affecting adherence to Antipsychotics among the patients of schizophrenia in adult and elderly patients. Participants and Methods: A descriptive study was done on outdoor patients of department of Psychiatry, SMS hospital, Jaipur (Rajasthan). After excluding the patients whose MMSE Scores was less than 24 two age groups were made, <60 and >60 years with the 30 patients in each group. Glasgow antipsychotic side effect scale (GASS),s The Medication Adherence Questionnaire (Clinician Rating Scale), VAGUS CR insight scale and Semi Structured Performa were filled in two groups and evaluated. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS 21 software.Results: In elderly age group poor income, positive family history of psychiatric illness, more side effects, poor social support, presence of chronic illness, absence of substance use and in adults unemployment, rural background, positive family history of psychiatric illness and poor insight were found to be main factors behind poor adherence to antipsychotics.Conclusion: Adherence is important in delivering the maximum therapeutic benefits to patients. To maximize antipsychotic adherence, factors are more relevant in particular age groups should be targetted.