Factors associated with medication interruption among outpatients’ severe mental illness patients exposed to coronavirus disease 2019

Abstract

Abstract Background. In clinical, many patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have a relapse and deterioration in their illness during COVID-19, with an experienced medication interruption. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting medicine interruption in patients with SMI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Between 3 September and 7 October 2020, 2,077 patients with SMI participated in an online survey regarding their medication interruption during the COVID-19 outbreak. The questionnaire comprised six parts: basic demographic information, COVID-19 exposure, state of disease, medication compliance pre-COVID-19, medication interruption during COVID-19, and the specific impact and needs. Results. 2,017 valid questionnaires were collected. Nearly 50% of patients with SMI have been affected to varying degrees in their lives and treatment. Among them, 74 patients stopped taking medicines for more than 14 days without a prescription. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that cohabitant exposure [OR = 26.629; 95% CI (3.293-215.323), p = 0.002], medication partial compliance and non-compliance pre-COVID-19 [OR = 11.109; 95% CI (6.093–20.251), p < 0.001; OR = 20.115; 95% CI (10.490-38.571), p < 0.001], and disease status [OR = 0.326; 95% CI (0.188–0.564), p < 0.001] were related to medication interruption. More than 50% of patients wanted help in taking medications, follow-up, and receiving more financial support and protective materials. Conclusions. Patients with a history of partial or non-medication compliance pre-COVID-19 and unstable disease state are more easily affect by epidemics and need extra attention should similar large-scale epidemics occur in future.