Assesment of outpatient clinic appointments and treatment adherence in bipolar patiens

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting the treatment adherence of bipolar inpatients who have later been followed up in outpatient clinic of Bipolar Disorder Unit of Department of Psychiatry, Cukurova University Medical School between the years of 2006-2013. Method: Clinical records of 107 patients hospitalized between the years of 2006-2013 in inpatient clinic of Department of Psychiatry, Cukurova University Medical School were retrospectively analyzed. 85 these bipolar patients were re-called when they were euthymic to be evaluated for adherence via Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Results: Presence of axis II personality disorders according to DSM-IV-TR had negative effects on treatment but this does not reach a statistically significant level. The treatment adherence rate was found to be 62.5% in patients who had comorbid alcohol and substance misuse and this suggests that the comorbidity of alcohol and substance misuse affects treatment adherence negatively. The rate of treatment adherence was statistically higher in married patients and patients with social support Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that being single and the lack of social support were the factors that have the most significant effect on treatment adherence. The other factors that affect the treatment adherence were education status, the complexity of drug regimen and the period of disorder.