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Medication-taking behaviours in young adults with schizophrenia: a pilot study
1University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. leehee@pitt.edu
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
|May 5, 2011
Summary
Young adults with schizophrenia often take antipsychotic medications irregularly, despite believing they are adherent. Objective monitoring revealed significant gaps in medication adherence, highlighting the need for improved interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Schizophrenia management requires consistent antipsychotic medication adherence for optimal outcomes.
- Understanding medication-taking behaviors in young adults is crucial for developing effective adherence strategies.
- Discrepancies between self-reported and objectively measured adherence can impact treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate medication-taking behaviors in community-based young adults with schizophrenia.
- To compare objective adherence data with patient self-reports.
- To identify patterns of non-adherence in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, observational study design.
- Utilized the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®) for objective adherence tracking.
- Employed patient self-report questionnaires: Index for Medication Adherence (IMA) and Brief Evaluation of Medication Influences and Beliefs (BEMIB).
- Data collected at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- Objective monitoring (MEMS®) showed 71.77% dose adherence and 55.92% day adherence.
- Most participants exhibited irregular medication intake (early, late, or missed doses).
- Significant discrepancies existed between self-reported adherence (50-30%) and objective measures (71.77%-55.92%).
Conclusions:
- Young adults with schizophrenia demonstrate suboptimal medication adherence, often taking medications irregularly.
- Patient self-perceptions of adherence do not consistently align with objective adherence data.
- There is a critical need for targeted interventions to improve antipsychotic medication adherence in this demographic.
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