Self-reported adherence in patients with epilepsy who missed their medications and reasons for nonadherence in China.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate self-reported adherence in adult patients with epilepsy in China who had missed taking their antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at least once and (2) to determine why patients were not adherent to their medication to employ interventions targeted at barriers to adherence. METHODS A questionnaire was used to collect the patients' demographic data, disease information, and reasons for why the patients did not take their AEDs. Adherence was also included as measured using a four-item Morisky questionnaire (Morisky-4 questionnaire). RESULTS Of the 131 patients, 4.6%, 70.2%, and 25.2% showed high, medium, and low adherence, respectively. The reasons for nonadherence included forgetfulness (54.2%), being seizure-free for a period (48.9%), and fear of adverse drug effects (27.5%). CONCLUSIONS Medium adherence was the predominant nonadherence pattern, and forgetfulness, being seizure-free for a period, and fear of adverse effects were the primary reasons for nonadherence to AEDs. To overcome barriers to nonadherence, it is essential to use tools that are sensitive to reasons for nonadherence.