Psychosocial correlates of medication adherence in patients with depressive illness

INTRODUCTION: Nonadherence to medication is common in depressive illness and the same may lead to increased risk of relapse, morbidity, burden of care, and avoidable health cost. Factors which may cause nonadherence are multiple. METHODOLOGY: A study was undertaken to appreciate the role of various psychosocial factors in adherence to various antidepressant medication in the patients of depressive disorder. One hundred and fifty patients after due consent were subjected to medico-psychosocial-structured per forma, Beck's Depression Inventory, The Belief About Medicines Questionnaire, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. RESULTS: Nonadherence to antidepressant medication in our study was 73.33%. Characteristics of the disease, disease therapies, patient-associated aspects including beliefs, and social and economic support did affect medication adherence. CONCLUSION: Nonadherence to medication was common in patients with depressive illness. Finding emphasizes the need to sensitize the patients about the importance of proper adherence.