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Lindenmayer and colleagues analyzed data from a randomized, double-blind, 8-week, fixed-dose trial of an atypical antipsychotic to examine the impact of medication nonadherence on treatment outcomes. A total of 599 patients with schizophrenia were analyzed on various symptomatology and functioning scales. Nonadherence was defined as not taking medication as prescribed, based on daily pill counts.
Results demonstrated significantly less improvement in patients who were nonadherent to medication vs patients adherent to medication in this 8-week trial.
Reference:
Lindenmayer JP, Liu-Seifert H, Kulkarni PM, et al. Medication nonadherence and treatment outcome in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder with suboptimal prior response. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009; 70(7): 990-996.