In euthymic bipolar patients, higher nonplanning impulsivity, defined as a lack of future orientation, was associated with lower medication adherence, according to a study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Lead author Dr. Raoul Belzeaux of Sainte Marguerite Hospital in Marseilles, France, and his associates examined 260 euthymic bipolar patients who were given a questionnaire. Adherence to medication was evaluated by Medication Adherence Rating Scale, and nonplanning impulsivity was measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.
Even after controlling for potential confounding factors, adherence to medication was correlated with nonplanning impulsivity (beta-standardized coefficient = 0.156; P = .015), the authors noted. In addition, path analysis demonstrated only a direct effect of nonplanning impulsivity on adherence to medication.
Read the full article here: (J Affect Disord. 2015 Sep 15;184:60-6 [doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.05.041]).