Psychiatria pre prax 1/2025
Non-adherence as a limiting factor in treatment of schizophrenia
The limiting factor in achieving adequate functional recovery is not the lack of antipsychotics, but the willingness of patients to use them. The prevalence of non-adherence is reported in the literature at different levels, which, however, appear to be relatively stable over time. Among the key factors of nonadherence are the absence of insight, persistent symptoms, abuse of psychoactive substances, the stigma associated with the use of therapy, and the absence of a quality patient-doctor relationship. Despite the existence of long acting antipsychotic injections, which in several studies have documented their greater effectiveness in preventing relapse compared to oral antipsychotics, they are still underutilised. Not all patients are willing to use long-acting antipsychotic injections. For this group of patients, it is necessary to find a suitable alternative that will offer them a combination of a convenient and effective form of administration and effectiveness on the spectrum of symptoms that lead to poorer adherence. Exploring this path together can strengthen and improve the patient-doctor relationship, and taking into account patient preferences can lead to improved adherence.
Keywords: schizophrenia, adherence, orodispersible tablets, negative symptoms, obesity
