BACKGROUND: Enhancing medication adherence early in the course of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder may substantially improve long-term course. Although extensively studied in multi-episode patients, little data exist on medication adherence by first-episode patients. METHOD: Medication adherence was assessed during the first year of treatment and following recovery from the first relapse in patients treated by a standardized medication algorithm. RESULTS: During the first year of treatment, patients with poorer premorbid cognitive functioning were more likely to stop antipsychotics (t=-2.54, df=75, p=0.01). Parkinsonian side effects increased the likelihood (hazard ratio=41.22; 95% CI=2.30, 737.89; p=0.01), and better executive function decreased the likelihood (hazard ratio=0.40; 95% CI=0.18, 0.88; p=0.02) that patients discontinued maintenance medication after a first relapse. CONCLUSION: Interventions to ameliorate cognitive deficits and Parkinsonian side effects may enhance treatment adherence.
BACKGROUND: Enhancing medication adherence early in the course of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder may substantially improve long-term course. Although extensively studied in multi-episode patients, little data exist on medication adherence by first-episode patients. METHOD: Medication adherence was assessed during the first year of treatment and following recovery from the first relapse in patients treated by a standardized medication algorithm. RESULTS: During the first year of treatment, patients with poorer premorbid cognitive functioning were more likely to stop antipsychotics (t=-2.54, df=75, p=0.01). Parkinsonian side effects increased the likelihood (hazard ratio=41.22; 95% CI=2.30, 737.89; p=0.01), and better executive function decreased the likelihood (hazard ratio=0.40; 95% CI=0.18, 0.88; p=0.02) that patients discontinued maintenance medication after a first relapse. CONCLUSION: Interventions to ameliorate cognitive deficits and Parkinsonian side effects may enhance treatment adherence.
Authors: Kayla L Metzger; Jody M Shoemaker; Jonathan B Kahn; Christina R Maxwell; Yuling Liang; Jan Tokarczyk; Stephen J Kanes; Meredith Hans; Anthony M Lowman; Nily Dan; Karen I Winey; Neal R Swerdlow; Steven J Siegel Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2006-11-21 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Leslie Marino; Ilana Nossel; Jean C Choi; Keith Nuechterlein; Yuanjia Wang; Susan Essock; Melanie Bennett; Karen McNamara; Sapna Mendon; Lisa Dixon Journal: J Nerv Ment Dis Date: 2015-05 Impact factor: 2.254
Authors: Pál Czobor; Richard A Van Dorn; Leslie Citrome; Rene S Kahn; W Wolfgang Fleischhacker; Jan Volavka Journal: Eur Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2015-04-30 Impact factor: 4.600
Authors: Eric Y H Chen; Christy L M Hui; May M L Lam; Cindy P Y Chiu; C W Law; Dicky W S Chung; Steve Tso; Edwin P F Pang; K T Chan; Y C Wong; Flora Y M Mo; Kathy P M Chan; T J Yao; S F Hung; William G Honer Journal: BMJ Date: 2010-08-19