Attitude Toward Antipsychotic Medications and Its Correlation with Psychopathology and Insight in Schizophrenia

Abstract

I

Introduction

Patients with chronic schizophrenia require long term treatment. Attitude towards antipsychotic medications is a crucial determinant of medication adherence and is influenced by multiple factors.

The present study was conducted to investigate clinical and socio-demographic correlates of attitude of patients with schizophrenia to the antipsychotic medications and its correlation with psychopathology and insight.

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 361 patients (194 males, 167 females) with schizophrenia diagnosed as per DSM IV, aged 16-55, having illness for ≤ 6 years and not having co morbid psychiatric, physical and substance use disorders, were assessed on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) . The subjects were also assessed on drug attitude inventory -30 (DAI-30) and schedule for assessment of insight (SAI) to evaluate insight.

Results

Mean age (±SD) of sample was 32.9 (SD 9.25) years and mean duration of illness was 286.39 (± 293.63) weeks. The subjects got a mean (±SD) score on PANSS, SAI and DAI 56.38 (± 17.04), 8.27 (±2.76) and 18.95 (±6.83) respectively. Most (92.8%) of patients had a positive attitude towards antipsychotic medications. A negative correlation (r= – 3.78, p=0.00) was observed between scores on DAI and PANSS and a positive correlation (0.06, p=0.00) was seen between scores on DAI and SAI. No correlation was observed between scores on DAI and other clinical and socio-demographic variables.

Conclusion

Majority of patients with chronic schizophrenia, who are on treatment, have positive attitude towards antipsychotic medications. There is a need for community based studies on the subject.