Health‐related Internet use and treatment adherence: A transdiagnostic comparison of outpatients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract

Treatment adherence is relevant for clinical and economic outcome in affective disorders as well as psychosis. Knowledge concerning the disease and its treatment might influence patients' willingness to follow the health-care providers' recommendations and mutual decision-making. In the current study, we investigated how Internet surfing for health-related issues and attitude toward the relevance of the online information impact treatment adherence in major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ). A total of 83 outpatients (59 MDD, 24 SZ) participated in a survey. A multiple linear regression model with "exposure," "attitude," "diagnosis," and their interaction as regressors was significant predictive of medication-adherence rating scores, R 2 = .179; 95% CI [0.00, 0.32]. In the MDD group only, more extended exposure to Internet surfing for health-related issues and attribution of higher personal relevance were associated with poorer medication adherence at a statistical trend level, p = .060 and p = .077, respectively. In both groups, being female as well as higher age and intelligence were associated with favorable adherence, p = .003, p = .044, and p = .039, respectively. Considering the limitations (e.g., small sample size), our findings add to previously published data contributing to a better understanding of how Internet use may impact treatment adherence in MDD and schizophrenia.

<p>Challenges and Future Prospects of Precision Medicine in Psychiatry</p>

“…It is conceivable that adherence to precision medicine tools can be as common as that for pharmacological treatment in individuals with mental illness. As several factors, including access to scientifically reliable and valid evidence, 69 might substantially influence adherence, disseminating information and involving patients in shared decision-making could favor the implementation of precision psychiatry tools. 70 Figure 1 illustrates some of the main barriers and opportunities for precision psychiatry.…”

Association between online health information-seeking and medication adherence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“… 28 Only one study has a sample size of less than 100. 29 Most studies (12 of 17) were conducted in outpatient clinics, but 4 used an online platform, two were conducted in the community, and one was conducted in an inpatient setting. One of the studies was undertaken in both an outpatient clinic setting and an online platform.…”

“…Eleven studies used validated self-reported questionnaires to measure medication adherence. The most common was the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (7 of 11 studies), 28 , 36 – 37 , 41 – 43 two studies used the Medication Adherence Rating Scale, 29 , 40 while two studies used self-validated adherence rating scales. 33 , 34 The rest of the studies used non-standardised scales to measure medication adherence, including four studies that measured missed medications over specific durations such as three days, one week, or 30 days.…”

“…Among the 17 included studies, six studies reported significant positive associations between OHIS and medication adherence, 30 – 32 , 34 – 35 , 40 while six studies found no association. 29 , 33 , 35 – 36 , 41 , 43 Meanwhile, three studies reported that OHIS was associated with poorer medication adherence. 20 , 28 , 37 …”

Transdiagnostic study of mental disorders

“…Their findings indicate that negative symptoms, mania, and social cognition are the strongest predictors across diagnoses. Zavorotnyy, Ehrlich, and Nenadic () adopted a transdiagnostic approach to compare outpatients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorders on health‐related Internet use and treatment adherence. S. Wang et al () further examined the potential moderated and mediated roles of sense of belongingness and suicidal behavior in patients with mental disorders.…”