BJPsych Bull. 2026 Mar 2:1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2026.10223. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS AND METHOD: Treatment non-adherence is a well-established predictor of relapse in schizophrenia, yet its broader clinical impact remains unclear. This study examines the association between clinician-recorded treatment non-adherence and clinical outcomes during the first year following a schizophrenia diagnosis. Using a bespoke natural language processing algorithm applied to anonymised electronic health records, we classified the recorded treatment adherence status of 2667 patients. Multivariable and Poisson regression analyses were conducted to assess associations of recorded treatment non-adherence with clinical outcomes.
RESULTS: Compared with the remainder, those classified as non-adherent had greater increases in recorded symptoms and higher frequency and duration of in-patient admissions and crisis care episodes. They were also prescribed a greater number of different antipsychotics and developed a greater number of recorded physical health comorbidities.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment non-adherence is associated with markedly poorer clinical outcomes, emphasising the importance of early identification and targeted interventions to support adherence.
PMID:41766367 | DOI:10.1192/bjb.2026.10223
