COMPLIANCE AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION - A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO MEASURING UNINTENTIONAL ERRORS IN MEDICATION COMPLIANCE IN THE ELDERLY

This study describes the development of a method for assessing the rel ationship between cognitive function, comprehension, and compliance wi th medication. We assessed multiple aspects of cognitive performance, medication planning ability, and medication compliance in a convenienc e sample of 20 outpatients. Using a test battery that measured mental status, attention/concentration, memory function, and motor strength a nd dexterity, we found that: (1) standard mental status assessment was poorly correlated with memory function; (2) attention/concentration a nd memory were related to medication planning accuracy; (3) motor dext erity and strength were related to the ability to access medications; and (4) visual perception and memory were the skills most strongly cor related with medication compliance. Findings suggest that aspects of a ttention/concentration, visual and verbal memory, and motor function w hich are untapped by simple mental status assessment are related to me dication access, planning, and compliance in elderly patients.