Adherence of Anti-Epileptic Drugs in Pediatric Age Group in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: In this cross-sectional study, the aims were to analyze the adherence of anti-epileptic drugs in pediatric age group. Comparison with age, gender, disease duration, education status of parents, etc., was considered. Non-adherence to epilepsy medications can interfere with treatment and may adversely affect clinical outcomes, although few studies have examined this relationship. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted over 200 patients for 6 months in outpatient basis pediatric department in Rajindra Hospital associated with Government Medical College, Patiala, a tertiary care teaching hospital in Punjab. The patient diagnosed by the pediatrician with epilepsy who fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria was enrolled after taking informed consent. Adherence was noted using Morisky adherence questionnaire at clinical visit. Results: In this study, a total 200 children were enrolled. Our study results showed that majority of the patients had medium (96.48%) medication adherence to prescribed treatment. In high adherence group, most of the patients were graduate (35.48%) followed by primary education (35.29%). In high adherence group, there were more patients present in the age group of ≤5 years (45.24%). In our study, low and high adherence group was more associated with who have positive family history. Conclusion: In the present study, majority of the patients had medium medication adherence to prescribe treatment. In high adherence group, most of the patients were graduate followed by primary education also in this group more patients present in the age group of ≤5 year who have positive family history.