Medication compliance in those with schizophrenia receiving psychiatric services from a veterans hospital in Taiwan

[[abstract]]OBJECTIVE: Medication complication is one of the important determinants in schizophrenia treatment outcomes, as it has been found that approximately two thirds of those with schizophrenia are readmitted to hospitals due to partial or non- compliance. This study aimed to investigate medication compliance in those with schizophrenia, and examine factors associated with their compliance. METHODS: Subjects who had ever received any outpatient antipsychotic therapy (amisulpride, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol, or sulpiride) from the Yuli Veterans Hospital, Taiwan, during August and November 2006 were identified from medical chart review. The selected subjects were surveyed on information such as their medication compliance, sociodemographics, treatment-related side effects, perceived social support, and perceived treatment-related benefits. Their physicians were surveyed for their medication compliance, and clinical characteristics such as CGI and comorbidities. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were adopted to evaluate associations of characteristics with the medication compliance. RESULTS: Of the 81 subjects surveyed, 41 (51%) had 100% self-reported medication compliance confirmed by their physicians. The average age was 41, and 64% of the sample was male. Age, education level, and work were significantly associated with different medication compliance. The regression result showed that more than nine years of education and work were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of 100% medication compliance. CONCLUSION: According to our preliminary findings, higher education level and work were associated with 100% medication compliance. This study selected those who had ever received certain first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics. However, second-generation antipsychotics were not found to be associated with 100% medication compliance