Factors predicting treatment adherence among first episode psychosis patients at psychiatric outpatient clinic in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background Non-adherence at psychiatric out-patients clinics has serious impact on clinical and economic outcomes. It is costly to both health care systems and the patients. This study aimed to examine the predictors of treatment adherence in a group of patients with first episode psychosis in Hong Kong.

Methods Thirty five patients with psychosis underwent assessment for prospective memory, insight and social support at baseline. Clinical symptoms were also measured. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of treatment adherence at baseline. Actual medication adherence was assessed three months later and multiple linear regression models were used to identify predictors of non-adherence.

Results The effects of independent variables age, gender, number of psychiatric hospitalization, and prospective memory were no statistically significant to treatment adherence. But educational level, insight and social support were showed positive correlation with treatment adherence.

Conclusions The study demonstrates that treatment adherence is associated with level of education, insight and social support system. These factors are important to assess when trying to estimate the degree of medication adherence and its relationship to clinical presentation.