Non-compliance to Antiepileptic Drugs in Tertiary Hospital: Factors and Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by epileptic seizures. As epilepsy is a treatable disease and antiepileptic drugs are used to treat epilepsy which demand strict adherence to the drug regimen.

Objective: To identify the factors affecting non-compliance to antiepileptic drugs and to assess their outcomes among patients with Epilepsy attending Neurology OPD at tertiary care centre in Northern India.

Material and Methods: It was a descriptive study and included 191 epileptic patients. Sampling technique was total enumeration and included all subjects willing to participate and between the age of 15–45 years A written informed consent from the patients was taken. Institutional ethical clearance was obtained. Moriskey medication adherence scale was used to differentiate compliant and non-compliant patients and a self-structured interview schedule was used for assessing the factors affecting non-compliance to antiepileptic drugs and to assess their outcomes.

Results: The mean age of the patients was (in years) 28.72±11.57 ranged between 13–65 years. Out of total subjects, 100 were non-compliant to antiepileptic drugs. Majority of them reported longer waiting duration (93%) and skipping of drugs due to event of forgetfulness (81%). More than two third (78%) had more fluctuation in health because of the treatment. More than one tenth of them had always experienced increased economic burden (15%).

Conclusion: As adherence to the antiepileptic treatment is only the source to cure this disease and to improve the quality of life, it becomes immensely vital for health care personnel to encourage patients and their caregivers to be compliant to the treatment so that these patients can lead a better life with a reduction in disease burden globally.

Keywords: Antiepileptic drugs, epilepsy, factors, non-compliance, outcomes

Cite this Article

Latika Bajaj, Ankita Sandal, Neha Kumari et al. Non-compliance to Antiepileptic Drugs in Tertiary Hospital: Factors and Outcomes. Research and Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience. 2016; 6(3): 22–30p.