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Study identifies intervention targets for antipsychotic non-adherence in homeless
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Recent findings indicated a number of factors associated with antipsychotic prescription adherence among homeless individuals, including psychiatric hospitalization and long-acting injectable antipsychotics, which may be valuable for future interventions.
“Treatment protocols recommend that patients receive these medications continuously once they’re initiated, but this can be difficult to ensure when people are precariously housed. There’s a strong link between low adherence and long-term homelessness,” Stefanie N. Rezansoff, PhD, of Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, said in a press release.
To assess prescription medication adherence among homeless individuals, researchers analyzed baseline data, including comprehensive population-level administrative prescription records, from two randomized clinical trials that assessed Housing First for homeless adults and those with mental illness (n = 290). Antipsychotic adherence was determined using the medication possession ratio.
Antipsychotic prescription adherence was significantly associated with history of psychiatric hospitalization, receipt of primary medical services, long-acting injectable antipsychotic formulations and duration of homelessness.
In the prerandomization period, mean medication possession was 0.41.
Sociodemographic factors that correlated with antipsychotic nonadherence were not significantly related to medication possession ratio.
“Our results indicate that important correlates of antipsychotic adherence among homeless people are modifiable, and may be effectively addressed using targeted and coordinated community-based care and supports. Research is needed to prospectively investigate the impact of interventions to improve adherence to antipsychotic medication among homeless people with serious mental illness,” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.