Patients' perspectives on anti-epileptic medication: relationships between beliefs about medicines and adherence among patients with epilepsy in UK primary care

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Date
2014-02
Authors
Chapman, Sarah C. E.
Horne, R.
Chater, A.
Hukins, D.
Smithson, W. Henry
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Elsevier Inc.
Published Version
10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.10.016
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Abstract
Background: Nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can result in suboptimal outcomes for patients. Aim: This study aimed to assess the utility of a theory-based approach to understanding patient perspectives on AEDs and adherence. Method: Patients with epilepsy, identified by a GP case note review, were mailed validated questionnaires assessing their perceptions of AEDs and their adherence to them. Results: Most (84.9%) of the 398 AED-treated respondents accepted the necessity of AEDs, but over half expressed doubts, with 55% disagreeing or uncertain about the statement ‘I would prefer to take epilepsy medication than risk a seizure’. Over a third (36.4%) expressed strong concerns about the potential negative effects of AEDs. We used self-report and medication possession ratio to classify 36.4% of patients as nonadherent. Nonadherence was related to beliefs about medicines and implicit attitudes toward AEDs (p < 0.05). Adherence-related attitudes toward AEDs were correlated with general beliefs about pharmaceuticals (BMQ General: General Harm, General Overuse, and General Benefit scales) and perceptions of personal sensitivity to medicines (PSM scale). Conclusion: We identified salient, adherence-related beliefs about AEDs. Patient-centered interventions to support medicine optimization for people with epilepsy should take account of these beliefs.
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Keywords
Medicine adherence , Epilepsy , Antiepileptic drugs , Primary care , Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines scale , PSM , Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire , BMQ
Citation
Chapman, S. C. E., Horne, R., Chater, A., Hukins, D. and Smithson, W. H. (2014) 'Patients' perspectives on anti-epileptic medication: relationships between beliefs about medicines and adherence among patients with epilepsy in UK primary care', Epilepsy and Behavior, 31, pp. 312-320. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.10.016
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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/6984
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General Practice - Journal Articles
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© 2013, the Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This article is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). You may distribute and copy the article, create extracts, abstracts, and other revised versions, adaptations or derivative works of or from an article (such as a translation), to include in a collective work (such as an anthology), to text or data mine the article, including for commercial purposes without permission from Elsevier. The original work must always be appropriately credited.