Predicting Factors Associated with Drug Compliance in Psychiatric Outpatients of a University Hospital

ObjectivezzDrug compliance is closely related to progress and prognosis of psychiatric disease. We investigated drug compliance in psychiatric outpatients and factors that influence their compliance. MethodszzPatients who visited a university hospital were asked about drug information and drug compliance using questionnaires. Medical records of the patients were reviewed. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics and drug compliance related variables were compared between non-compliance group and compliance group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to clarify predictors of poor compliance. ResultszzOne hundred eighty one patients participate in this study. 150 patients (82.9%) were compliance group, 31 patients (17.1%) were included in non-compliance group. Patient-related, illness-related and treatment-related factors, DAI total score and knowledge of side effect did not show any difference in both groups. However, illness severity was relatively higher in non-compliance group (p = 0.070) and patient’s satisfaction about explanation of side effect was lower in noncompliance group (p = 0.061). Moreover, patients who negatively answered for question about negative recognition to psychiatric medication in DAI questionnaire were more common in non-compliance group (p = 0.075). In logistic regression, answering negatively to question about negative recognition to psychiatric medication in DAI questionnaire was related to non-compliance, but did not reached statistical significance (p = 0.086). ConclusionzzThis study suggests that improving negative recognition about psychiatric medication through drug education and good doctor patient relationship could enhance drug compliance. Korean J Psychopharmacol 2010;21:29-34 Key WordszzDrug compliance · Negative recognition · Outpatient.