Factors Associated with Long-term Medication Adherence in Patients Who Participated in a Short-term Group...

Improving adherence to medication and quality of life is a challenge in treating bipolar disorder. Therefore, psychoeducation plays an important role. This study examined factors associated with long-term medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder who participated in a short-term psychoeducation program. Additionally, the relationships between medication adherence and medication attitudes and quality of life (QOL) were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was conducted on 67 inpatients and outpatients using medication adherence (Brief Evaluation for Medication Influences and Beliefs [BEMIB] score) as the dependent variable and clinical and demographic variables before and after the program as explanatory variables, one year after completion of the program. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for associations between patients' BEMIB score and medication attitudes (Drug Attitude Inventory-10 [DAI-10]) and QOL (World Health Organization QOL-26 [WHOQOL-26] score) before and after the program and one year after program completion. The results showed that the CSQ-8 J (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 Japanese) and DAI-10 scores immediately after the program were significantly related to the BEMIB score one year after program completion. Both the BEMIB and DAI-10 showed significant positive correlations with several items of the WHOQOL-26, both after the program and one year after completion of the program. The results suggest that medication attitudes acquired through psychoeducation and program satisfaction impact long-term medication adherence. The study also indicates that medication attitudes and medication adherence after a psychoeducation program are associated with QOL. Thus, patients' subjective views after a psychoeducation program can play an important role in long-term medication adherence and QOL.