A Study of Factors Related to Non-Compliance of Psychotropic Drugs Among the Patients With Psychotic Illness

Abstract

BACKGROUND Non-compliance of psychotropic drugs is among the most common causes of psychotic relapse and the need for rehospitalisation. This study was conducted to get an idea of the factors affecting attitude towards medication compliance, psychotic illness and its relationship with severity of illness and side effects of medication.The objective of this study is to study factors related to non-compliance of psychotropic drugs among the patients with psychotic disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS200 consecutive non-compliant patients were selected for the study after applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Basic socio-demographic information along with psychiatric diagnosis were recorded in a semi-structured proforma. The different reasons for non-compliance were assessed. RESULTSMost of the subjects were between the age range of 18 -29 years, male, married, having low education up to primary class, of Hindu religion, belonged to nuclear family, did not have family history of mental illness, having duration of illness between 1 -2 years. The commonest psychiatric illnesses leading to non-compliance were BPAD followed by schizophrenia, psychosis NOS and schizoaffective disorder. CONCLUSIONThe most important conclusion drawn from the study is poor drug affordability and lack of awareness about available treatment options of psychiatric illness. Many of the times, patients of remote areas of Madhya Pradesh region with poor infrastructure and local inconvenience found it difficult to continue advised treatment.