Factors Influencing Adherence to Antipsychotic Medications in Women with Delusional Disorder: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Adherence to medication regimens is of great importance in psychiatry because drugs sometimes need to be taken for long durations in order to maintain health and function.

OBJECTIVE

To review influences on adherence to antipsychotic medications, the treatment of choice for delusional disorder (DD), and to focus on adherence in women with DD.

METHOD

A non-systematic narrative review of papers published since 2000 using PubMed and Google Scholar and focusing on women with DD and medication adherence.

RESULTS

Several factors have been identified as exerting influence on adherence in women with persistent delusional symptoms who are treated with antipsychotics. Personality features, intensity of delusion, perception of adverse effects, and cognitive impairment are patient factors. Clinical time spent with the patient, clarity of communication and regular drug monitoring are responsibilities of the health provider. Factors that neither patient nor clinician can control are the social determinants of health such as poverty, easy access to healthcare, and cultural variables.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been little investigation into factors that influence adherence in the target population discussed here -e.g. women with DD. Preliminary results of this literature search indicate that solutions from outside the field of DD may apply to this population. Overall, a solid therapeutic alliance appears to be the best hedge against non-adherence.

Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women with Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Are a Population with Specific Needs: A Narrative Review of Current Theories

Background: While gender differences in antipsychotic response have been recognized, the potential role of menopause in changing drug efficacy and clinical outcome in schizophrenia related disorders has been understudied. We aimed to review the relevant literature to test whether optimizing menopausal and post-menopausal treatment and addressing specific health needs of this stage in life will improve outcome. Methods: Non-systematic narrative review using the PubMed database (1900–July 2021) focusing on randomized controlled trial results addressing our question. Forty-nine studies met our criteria. Results: Premenopausal women show significantly better antipsychotic response than postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapies (HRT) should be used in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia with caution. Raloxifene, combined with antipsychotics, is effective for psychotic and cognitive symptoms in postmenopausal women with schizophrenia and related disorders. Medical comorbidities increase after menopause, but the influence of comorbidities on clinical outcomes has been poorly investigated. Preventive strategies include weighing risks and benefits of treatment, preventing medical comorbidities, and enhancing psychosocial support. Ideal treatment settings for this population warrant investigation. Conclusions: Antipsychotic dose adjustment at menopause is recommended for schizophrenia. Raloxifene may play an important role in permitting dose reduction and lessening adverse effects. Prevention of comorbidities will help to reduce the mortality rate.