Key message: Medication adverse events are highly prevalent and significantly associated with medication non-adherence.
Background
- Data were analized from a 2007–2008 nationwide survey of adults who self-reported a diagnosis of schizophrenia and were currently using an antipsychotic medication (n=876).[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
- Adherence to medications was assessed by using the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Adherence was defined as a score of zero on the MMAS.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
- Medication adverse events were self-reported.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
- Most of the adverse events assessed were significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of medication adherence.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012] Sensitivity analyses using the more restrictive definition of adverse event presence did not change overall model results with respect to significance or magnitude.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
- EPS/agitation-related adverse events were the most strongly associated with nonadherence, and were commonly reported.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
- Adverse events of antipsychotic medications are highly prevalent and significantly associated with lower adherence, which is associated with increased healthcare resource use.[DiBonaventura et al., 2012]
Reference:
DiBonaventura M, Gabriel S, Dupclay L, et al. A patient perspective of the impact of medication side effects on adherence: results of a cross-sectional nationwide survey of patients with schizophrenia. BMC Psychiatry 2012; 12: 20.