Publication: Study of Adherence Pattern of Antidepressants in Patients with Depression
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Depression is one of the leading psychiatric disorders of the world affecting a
person’s mood, physical health and behavior. It is not permanent and is neither a
character flaw nor a lack in discipline for a person to be ashamed of. It is a disorder
that is reliably diagnosed and successfully treated. Antidepressants are the standard
and the most efficacious approach to treating people with depression. However,
adherence to treatment is necessary for achieving effectiveness. The result of non-
adherence is severe and may cause therapeutic failure resulting in poor quality of
life.
Objective
To determine the medication adherence pattern in patients with depression and
assess the factors associated with non-adherence to the prescribed antidepressant
therapy.
Method
Patients meeting the inclusion criteria who were diagnosed with depression were
taken for the study. Informed consent was taken from the patients or from their
relatives in case of their incapability. They were then interviewed using structured
questionnaire.
Result
Among the 60 patients included in the study, 78% of them were females. Most
of the patients 43% (n=26) were prescribed with atypical antidepressants. Less
number (37%) of the patients were adherent to the antidepressant therapy. 68% of
the females were non adherent. 82% of housewives were not adherent to therapy.
Forgetfulness was the main reason for missing dose in majority (50%) of the non-
adherent patients.
Conclusion
Majority of the patients with depression were non-adherent to medication.
Forgetfulness was the major reason for missing dose in these patients.
KEY WORDS
Adherence, Antidepressants, Depression, Non-adherence
Description
Shrestha Manandhar J,1 Shrestha R,1 Basnet N,1 Silwal P,1 Shrestha H,1 Risal A,2 Kunwar D2
1Department of Pharmacology,
School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University
2Department of Psychiatry,
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Kavre, Nepal.
Keywords
Adherence, Antidepressants, Depression, Non-adherence