| RESEARCH PAPER |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 2 | Page : 72-79 |
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Factors influencing adherence to anti-craving medications and drinking outcomes in patients with alcohol dependence: A hospital-based study
K Lohit1, Chanda Kulkarni2, RB Galgali3
1 Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
2 Division of Clinical Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Psychiatry, St. John's Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Chanda Kulkarni
Rajarajeswari Medical College, Bengaluru - 560 074, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0976-500X.184770
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Objective: To examine the factors influencing the pattern and extent of anti-craving medication adherence and drinking outcomes in alcohol-dependent patients. Materials and Methods: Demographic data from 102 inpatients were collected at discharge from hospital. The pattern of anti-craving medication, extent of adherence, and drinking outcome was collected at 1 st , 3 rd , 8 th , and 12 th week follow-up. Patients' self-reported adherence, medication diary, and simplified medication adherence questionnaire were used and data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Majority (99%) were male patients with a mean age of 41.17 ± 9.86 years and 70% belonged to middle socioeconomic status. There was a decrease in the number of patients coming for follow-up over time from 99.01% to 77.45% on day 90. Acamprosate was used in 74% and naltrexone and disulfiram in 7% of patients each. A significant reduction in adherence to acamprosate and naltrexone (P < 0.001) was associated with simultaneous decrease in days to alcohol abstinence and increase in relapse rate compared to adherent group (P < 0.001). Main barriers to adherence included younger age (odds ratio = 1.05 95% [1.01-1.09]; P < 0.01), self-decision, emotional factors, and adverse effects. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the need for safer therapeutic options along with suitable intervention at "grass root level" for sustenance of adherence to anti-craving medication among young adults to prevent relapse and achieve near-complete abstinence from alcohol dependence. |
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