Predictors of compliance with neuroleptic medication among inpatients withschizophrenia: a discriminant function analysis

Objective. To identify clinically useful predictors of adherence to medicat ion among persons with schizophrenia. Method. We evaluated levels of compli ance with neuroleptic medication among 32 Consecutive admissions with DSM-I II-R schizophrenia from a geographically defined catchment area using a com pliance interview. We also assessed symptomatology, insight, neurological s tatus and memory, Results. Less than 25% of consecutive admissions reported being fully compliant. Drug attitudes were the best predictor of regular c ompliance, symptomatology the best predictor of noncompliance, and memory t he best predictor of partial compliance with neuroleptic medication. Conclu sions. These data emphasise the complexity of factors that influence whethe r a person adheres to his medication regimen. Furthermore, they suggest tha t these factors may vary within the same person over time. (C) 2001 Edition s scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.