Predictors of noncompliance in males with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform and schizoaffective disorder.

PURPOSE: Many factors influencing compliance in schizophrenia have been reported in the literature. Our aim was to assess predictors of noncompliance in male patients with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform and schizoaffective disorder in a naturalistic setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six male patients, discharged from hospital, were included in a 1-year follow-up study. Psychopathological symptoms were assessed with positive and negative syndrome scale at admission and discharge, while extrapyramidal side effects were recorded weekly during hospitalisation using the Simpson-Angus and Barnes akathisia scales. Socio-demographic and some other variables were also recorded.
RESULTS: Thirty patients (53.6%) dropped out of treatment in the first year and 21 of them relapsed. With the Cox survival analysis three predictors of noncompliance were found: diagnosis of schizophrenia versus the other two diagnoses, positive symptoms at admission, and lack of insight at discharge. Discussion. In spite of a specific methodology and selection of only first-episode male patients, the results are in accordance with the findings of other authors. This confirms the universality of noncompliance in psychotic patients.
CONCLUSIONS: First-episode patients have a high dropout rate. However, in compliant patients, the relapse rate was low, and therefore special attention and compliance-promoting interventions in first-episode patients are needed.