Factors Affecting Non Compliance to Medication in Epileptic Patients

Non-compliance with antiepileptic medications is a significant concern, leading to poor seizure control, increased hospitalization, and higher healthcare costs. Objective: To identify factors contributing to non-compliance among epileptic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, Lahore, from July 2023 to March 2024, including 200 epileptic patients aged 18-60 years identified as non-compliant using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) Patients with psychiatric illnesses, hearing problems, or those pregnant/lactating were excluded. Data on demographics and contributing factors (e.g., high costs, forgetfulness, unemployment) were collected via structured proformas. Statistical analysis using SPSS version 25.0 included descriptive statistics and stratified analyses to explore relationships between factors and demographics, with significance at p < 0.05. Results: Of 200 patients, 67.5% were male. High cost (57.5%) was the leading factor, followed by forgetfulness (55.0%), prolonged treatment duration (32.5%), unemployment (29.5%), and medication complexity (16.5%). Monthly household income significantly influenced these factors; high costs and prolonged treatment duration were predominant in low-income groups (p < 0.001). Forgetfulness was uniformly reported across socio-economic strata (p = 0.094). Conclusions: High medication costs and forgetfulness are primary contributors to non-compliance among epileptic patients. Strategies like cost reduction, simplified regimens, and reminder interventions are essential to enhance adherence and improve clinical outcomes.