[Social psychiatric basis for drug non-compliance and recurrence in psychotic patients]

In a follow-up investigation on 104 mostly schizophrenic psychotic patients, of both sexes, a statistical correlation was sought using factors to determine whether the patient returns regularly for check-up or takes the prescribed drugs. Failure to take medication frequently leads to deterioration and readmission to hospital. The investigation showed that women are more amenable to follow-up than men and that regular follow-up depends largely on the degree of integration within the family: well-integrated patients attend more regularly. Social work measures improve follow-up and the taking of medication only when they are carried out on a regular basis. An interesting observation was that patients affected before their 25th year attend check-ups less regularly than those who first fall ill when they are older. It was also found that the regularity of attendance for check-ups tended to diminish with the increasing number of hospital admissions in the patient's history. No significant difference was found in respect of level of education although patients with a moderate education were most regular in coming for follow-up, whereas those with above-average and below-average education were less regular.