Over 50% of People
With Schizophrenia Forget to
Take Their Antipsychotic Medications

Survey of UK psychiatrists reveals how many with schizophrenia are non-compliant

(Feb. 8, 2005) - A UK survey of psychiatrists has revealed that they believe more than 50% of people with schizophrenia forget to take their medication treatment, increasing the risk of the return of psychotic symptoms - relapse. Almost 90% of psychiatrists agreed that taking antipsychotic medication treatment as prescribed is the key to reducing the risk of relapse. As many as 82% of people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder will relapse within the first five years of recovery from a first episode. The return of symptoms (relapse) is often traumatic and debilitating, and may result in hospitalization or even more tragically, suicide. Urgent action is needed to help people with schizophrenia benefit from advances in treatment and care. The survey captured data for nearly 2,000 patients and is endorsed by SANE - one of the leading UK mental health charities.

Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of SANE said, “People with schizophrenia often find it difficult to continue with treatment due to the intolerable side effects of older treatments and complicated treatment regimes.” She continued, “According to psychiatrists, almost two out of three patients rely on their family, carer or doctor to remind them to take their treatment. This can be distressing for the person with schizophrenia as well as increasing the burden on caregivers, often ending in conflict within the family, who are usually the main source of support. We therefore need to devise strategies to help people continue with treatment, whilst also ensuring this is part of a package of care to help people get better and carry on with everyday life.”

Psychiatrists in the survey reported that 53% of people with schizophrenia often felt embarrassed or upset at having to take tablets everyday for their illness. This reinforces the need for support and education of people with schizophrenia in order to encourage them to take treatment as prescribed. They should be involved in decisions about their medication and be well-informed about the benefits, possible side effects, and importance of taking treatment long-term in order for them to get better and remain well.

Dr. Martin Turner, Consultant Psychiatrist, from Glasgow says, "With atypical antipsychotic medications we have an excellent opportunity to help people with schizophrenia manage their illness. Since many patients with schizophrenia do not recognize that they have an illness, the very fact that atypical medications work so well and have a low level of side effects compared to the older antipsychotics, means that many patients will not take them as prescribed and often stop them altogether once they feel well.” The survey showed that as many as 65% of psychiatrists believed their patient had chosen to stop medication because they felt better. He continued, “If people stop their medication for any reason, they become increasingly vulnerable to the return of symptoms and hence relapse. It's our role as psychiatrists' to ensure that patients and their carers know that the potential consequences of discontinuing treatment can be devastating."

About the Survey

The survey was also conducted across Europe where the results were similar to those found in the UK.

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The ‘Relapse & Compliance Survey' was developed by pharmaceutical company Janssen-Cilag Ltd to assess psychiatrist's views across Europe on how frequently partial or non-compliance occurs and how it affects patients. In the UK, the survey was endorsed by the mental health charity SANE and for each questionnaire completed Janssen-Cilag contributed an amount towards a donation to the charity.

The survey was conducted via a questionnaire-based naturalistic survey in which UK psychiatrists (n=193) were asked to complete a short anonymous (Yes/No) questionnaire (containing 11 questions) for 10 of their patients with schizophrenia who were seen between the dates of 4th October 2004 and 5th November 2004. Only patients currently prescribed oral antipsychotics were eligible to be included in the survey. All questionnaires remained completely anonymous at all times.

Symptoms of schizophrenia include hearing voices, hallucinations and delusions, apathy, social withdrawal and a lack of emotional expression.

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