Abstracts

Rationale: During adolescence various types of epilepsy emerge, coexisting with physical, hormonal, sexual, and psychosocial changes, which can interfere with adherence to treatment. There are few studies in adolescents describing the variables that affect therapeutic adherence in this age group. Objective. Describe the associated factors with poor adherence to treatment in adolescent patients with epilepsy Methods: We included 100 patients with epilepsy, between eleven and eighteen years old, who attend to the Pediatric Neurology Department, between October 2011 and May 2012.Through direct interviews and a questionnaire of 35 questions geared towards physical, social, academic and personal expectations, where responses by type stickler established the presence or absence of factors of poor adherence to treatment. Results: We evaluated 100 patients showing a clear tendency of having poor adherence to treatment (> 80%) because of psychosocial factors. The economic situation seems to be less important in the decision to continue treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between gender. Interestingly, one third of adolescents suspended treatment for reasons of fun, such as alcohol or drugs. Conclusions: Psychosocial factors are associated with poor adherence to treatment in adolescent patients with epilepsy. This establishes the need of better educational guidance which will enhance the knowledge of the patient for their treatment adherence reducing the impact of social stigma of epilepsy.