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Pharmacopsychiatry 2010; 43(7): 263-270
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263169
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Assessment of Medication Adherence in a Cohort of Patients with Bipolar Disorder

A. González-Pinto1 , 4 , C. Reed2 , D. Novick2 , J. Bertsch3 , J. M. Haro3 , 4
  • 1CIBERSAM Stanley International Mood Disorders Research Centre, Hospital Santiago Apóstol, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain
  • 2Lilly Research Centre, Windlesham, UK
  • 3Sant Joan De Deu-SSM (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
  • 4Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

received 30.04.2009 revised 19.07.2010

accepted 23.07.2010

Publication Date:
14 September 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to identify factors associated with medication adherence in bipolar disorder (BPD) patients.

Methods: EMBLEM is a 2-year, prospective, observational study on the outcomes of BPD patients initiating or changing treatment for a manic/mixed episode. Data were collected at baseline, during the first 12 weeks of treatment (acute phase) and up to 24 months of follow-up (maintenance phase). Adherence was assessed by investigators at every visit. Repeated measures logistic regression analyses identified variables associated with adherence.

Results: Of 1 831 patients included in the analysis, 76.6% were adherent and 23.4% were non-adherent with their BPD medication during the maintenance phase. Patients were more likely to be adherent if they had insight into their illness at week 12. Patients were less likely to be adherent if they had cannabis abuse/dependence during the acute phase, work impairment or higher CGI hallucinations/delusions at baseline

Discussion: Psychotic symptoms, poor insight, cannabis abuse/dependence and work impairment are negatively related to medication adherence during maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder. Patients with these characteristics may need a different therapeutic approach.

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Correspondence

Prof. A. González-Pinto

Stanley International Mood

Disorders Research Centre (CIBERSAM)

Hospital Santiago Apóstol

University of the Basque Country

Vitoria

Spain

Phone: +34/9/4500 7769

Fax: +34/9/4500 7764

Email: anamaria.gonzalez-pintoarrillaga@osakidetza.net

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