Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Scott, J. Articles by Pope, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Scott, J. Articles by Pope, M. Bipolar Disorder Depression Anticonvulsants Lithium

Self-Reported Adherence to Treatment With Mood Stabilizers, Plasma Levels, and Psychiatric Hospitalization

OBJECTIVE: The authors explored the relationship of adherence to treatment with mood stabilizers (lithium, carbamazepine, and sodium valproate) and plasma levels of these drugs to future psychiatric hospitalizations. METHOD: They prospectively followed 98 patients with mood disorders who were prescribed mood stabilizers. These patients participated in an initial interview and completed a questionnaire regarding their adherence to the medications. Data on their plasma levels of these drugs were taken from assays done in the 3 months before the interview. RESULTS: Six of the 98 patients were not classified as to medication adherence or plasma levels. Twenty-nine (32%) of the remaining patients reported partial adherence to the medication regimen, and 33 (36%) had an index plasma level that was suboptimal. At 18 months, rates of admission to a psychiatric hospital were significantly higher in the 16 partially adherent patients with subtherapeutic plasma levels (N=13, 81%) than in the 46 adherent patients with therapeutic plasma levels (N=4, 9%). However, hospital admission was also more likely in partially adherent patients with therapeutic plasma levels than in adherent patients with subtherapeutic plasma levels. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to medication regimens may be a proxy measure of other healthy behaviors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. A. Gaudiano, L. M. Weinstock, and I. W. Miller Improving Treatment Adherence in Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Current Psychosocial Treatment Efficacy and Recommendations for Future Treatment Development Behav Modif, May 1, 2008; 32(3): 267 - 301. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Hassan, S S. Madhavan, I. D Kalsekar, E. H Makela, K. Rajagopalan, S. Islam, J. Kavookjian, and L.-A. Miller Comparing Adherence to and Persistence with Antipsychotic Therapy Among Patients with Bipolar Disorder Ann. Pharmacother., November 1, 2007; 41(11): 1812 - 1818. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Mitchell and T. Selmes Why don't patients take their medicine? Reasons and solutions in psychiatry Advan. Psychiatr. Treat., September 1, 2007; 13(5): 336 - 346. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Scott Psychotherapy for bipolar disorders - efficacy and effectiveness. J Psychopharmacol, March 1, 2006; 20(2 Suppl): 46 - 50. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Sajatovic, M. Davies, and D. R. Hrouda Enhancement of Treatment Adherence Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder Psychiatr Serv, March 1, 2004; 55(3): 264 - 269. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2002 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us