The effects of concealment of epilepsy on medication adherence in people with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study

Aim: Adherence to antiseizure medication is of great importance in achieving seizure control and maintaining well-being for people with epilepsy. Therefore, it is important to assess medication adherence and factors affecting medication adherence in this patient group. This study aims to examine the effects of concealment of epilepsy on medication adherence in people with epilepsy.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 people with epilepsy. Data were collected using a patient information form, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8), and the Concealment of Epilepsy Scale (CES) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis.Results: The mean age of the participants was 49.84 +/- 9.43 years, and 53.6% of them were male. Their mean MMAS-8 score was 4.25 +/- 1.99%, and 72.3% had low medication adherence. Additionally, their mean CES score was 49.84 +/- 9.43. The CES scores of the participants negatively predicted their MMAS-8 scores (p < 0.05), and medication adherence was positively predicted by female gender, the duration of diagnosis, the single administration of drugs per day, and employment status, whereas it was negatively predicted by the annual number of seizures (F=19.256, p < 0.001).Conclusion: In this study, people with epilepsy were found to have low medication adherence and a high tendency to conceal epilepsy. Furthermore, the tendency to conceal epilepsy had a negative effect on medication adherence.Implications: Psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the tendency to conceal epilepsy can contribute to medication adherence in people with the condition.