Factors affecting adherence to antiepileptic drugs therapy in Malaysia
- Author:
XC Tan
;
M Makmor-Bakry
;
CL Lau
;
FW Tajarudin
;
AA Raymond
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Anticonvulsants;
Epilepsy
- From:Neurology Asia
2015;20(3):235-241
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Poor adherence to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy can lead to various undesirable complications.
Identifying the contributing factors of poor adherence is beneficial in assisting health care professionals
to provide optimal interventions to control the seizures. This study aimed to identify the prevalence
and factors affecting the adherence level to AED therapy in a multiracial population with epilepsy.
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the neurology clinic of a tertiary care setting. Researcherassisted
questionnaire was utilised. Adherence level was assessed using validated Modified Morisky
Adherence Scale-8. A total of 145 patients with epilepsy were included in this study. The prevalence
of poor adherence to AED therapy was 64.1%. Poor adherence level was significantly associated
with younger age (χ2
= 7.609, p = 0.022), medication adverse effects (χ2
= 5.075, p = 0.020), shorter
duration of epilepsy (r = 0.180, p = 0.030) and uncertainty about the necessity for AEDs (χ2
= 11.803,
p = 0.001).
Conclusion, prevalence of poor adherence to antiepileptic drugs was high and factors associated with
poor adherence to AEDs were identified for a multiracial population with epilepsy.
- Full text:P020151007432500276374.pdf
