Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate levels of medication adherence and treatment satisfaction among adults with mood disorders attending a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia, and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors independently associated with these outcomes.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients diagnosed with mood disorders and receiving outpatient psychiatric care at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured Arabic electronic questionnaire, including the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS-10) and the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-1.4). Descriptive analyses were performed, followed by multivariable regression models to identify factors associated with medication adherence and treatment satisfaction.
RESULTS: Among 260 participants, the majority demonstrated adequate medication adherence, while treatment satisfaction showed substantial variability, with a considerable proportion reporting low satisfaction. Higher treatment satisfaction was independently associated with greater likelihood of medication adherence. Older age, fewer prescribed psychiatric medications, and absence of medication-related stigma were significant predictors of better adherence. Treatment satisfaction was positively associated with longer illness duration and higher educational attainment, whereas limited social support and a preference for alternative treatment modalities were associated with lower satisfaction levels
CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence and treatment satisfaction are key, interrelated components of effective management in patients with mood disorders. These outcomes are shaped by multiple demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Interventions targeting medication burden, stigma, and patient perceptions of treatment may improve adherence and satisfaction, thereby enhancing overall clinical outcomes in this population