[Compliance problems in treatment of schizophrenic patients]

Abstract

Compliance is the degree of adherence to an appropriate medical advise. Especially in longterm treatment, therapeutic success depends largely on patient compliance. In the treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotic agents a non-compliance rate up to 80% is the reason for the difference between the relatively good outcome of controlled treatment studies and the bad results in clinical reality. 4 groups of variables can be identified, which influence compliant behaviour: patient-related factors, factors related to the patients environment, physician-related factors, and medication-related factors. Possibilities to ameliorate the compliance of schizophrenic patients during long-term therapy are discussed.