Author/Editor		Novak-Grubič, Virginija; Tavčar, Rok
Title		Predictors of noncompliance in males with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform and schizoaffective disorder
Type		članek
Source		Eur Psychiatr
Vol. and No.		Letnik 17
Publication year		2002
Volume		str. 148-54
Language		eng
Abstract		Purpose. Many factors influencing compliance in schizophrenia have been reported in the literature. Our aim was to assess predictors of noncompliance in male patients with first-episode schizophrenia, schizophreniform and schizoaffective disorder in a naturalistic setting. Subjects and methods. Fifty-six male patients, discharged from hospital, were included in a 1-year follow-up study. Psychopathological symptoms were assessed with positive and negative syndrome scale at admission and discharge, while extrapyramidal side effects were recorded weekly during hospitalisation using the Simpson-Angus and Barnes akathisia scales. Socio-demographic and some other variables were also recorded. Results. Thirty patients (53.6%) dropped out of treatment in the first year and 21 of them relapsed. With the Cox survival analysis three predictors of noncompliance were found: diagnosis of schizophrenia versus the othertwo diagnoses, positive symptoms at admission, and lack of insight at discharge. Discussion. In spite of a specific methodology and selection of only first-episode male patients, the results are in accordance with the findings of other authors. This confirms the universality of noncompliance in psychotic patients. Conclusions. First-episode patients have a high dropout rate. However, in compliant patients, the relapse rate was low, and therefore special attention and compliance-promoting interventions in first-episode patients are needed.
Descriptors		PATIENT COMPLIANCE PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS SCHIZOPHRENIA PSYCHIATRIC STATUS RATING SCALES RECURRENCE ADULT FOLLOW-UP STUDIES HOSPITALIZATION SEVERITY OF ILLNESS INDEX PROSPECTIVE STUDIES