Study of various factors affecting compliance in schizophrenia: A single center experience in India

Abstract

Aim of the study: Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder, imparting a major burden in health care sector. Many treatments are available now a days to treat schizophrenia, although, its burden is not decreasing. The main reason behind this is noncompliance to treatment. This study aims to find out the noncompliance prevalence and to study influence of sociodemographic factors, treatment related variables, illness related variables and various subjective reasoning in patients with schizophrenia. Material and methods: Over the period of 1 year, 80 patients with schizophrenia who gave written informed consent were enrolled in the study and their sociodemographic, treatment related and illness related variables were noted. PANSS(positive and negative syndrome scale for Schizophrenia) was used to indicate the severity of illness. ROMI(Rating of Medication Influences Scale in Schizophrenia) was used to assess subjective reasons. Chi square test was used to find out statistical significance. Results: 37.5% patients were non-compliant in our study. Education, the illness severity, the type of regimen and dosages of medication have a significant influence on treatment compliance. The subjective reason “no perceived benefit” is significantly associated with treatment noncompliance. Discussion: A wide literature is available across the globe on compliance in schizophrenia. This study aids in the available resources and throws a light on the regional factor. Conclusion: Schizophrenia, being a major disease imparting burden in psychiatry health care system, needs an attention in the area of compliance to treatment. This type of research should be done on regional basis to find out and address the factors that influence treatment compliance.