INTRODUCTION: Warfarin is used for the treatment of thromboembolic disease. It requires careful and sustained monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic index and potentially life-threatening complications. Patient education and knowledge is, therefore, vital. AIMS: To assess, in a specialised anticoagulation clinic, the extent of patients' knowledge of their warfarin treatment. METHODS: Ethical approval was obtained. All patients, aged over 18 years, attending our anticoagulation clinic during our study period were asked to participate. RESULTS: We enrolled 181 patients, 47.9% of respondents were unaware of any potential drug interactions, 57.7% of patients were unaware of any potential side effects, 20% of patients had experienced side effects, 10.9% of patients had been hospitalised due to side effects, 58% of which were due to Haemorrhage and 79% of patients kept a personal record of their INR. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' understanding of warfarin treatment was poor, despite their high level of compliance.
INTRODUCTION:Warfarin is used for the treatment of thromboembolic disease. It requires careful and sustained monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic index and potentially life-threatening complications. Patient education and knowledge is, therefore, vital. AIMS: To assess, in a specialised anticoagulation clinic, the extent of patients' knowledge of their warfarin treatment. METHODS: Ethical approval was obtained. All patients, aged over 18 years, attending our anticoagulation clinic during our study period were asked to participate. RESULTS: We enrolled 181 patients, 47.9% of respondents were unaware of any potential drug interactions, 57.7% of patients were unaware of any potential side effects, 20% of patients had experienced side effects, 10.9% of patients had been hospitalised due to side effects, 58% of which were due to Haemorrhage and 79% of patients kept a personal record of their INR. CONCLUSIONS:Patients' understanding of warfarin treatment was poor, despite their high level of compliance.
Authors: Daniel S Budnitz; Daniel A Pollock; Kelly N Weidenbach; Aaron B Mendelsohn; Thomas J Schroeder; Joseph L Annest Journal: JAMA Date: 2006-10-18 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Jerry H Gurwitz; Terry S Field; Leslie R Harrold; Jeffrey Rothschild; Kristin Debellis; Andrew C Seger; Cynthia Cadoret; Leslie S Fish; Lawrence Garber; Michael Kelleher; David W Bates Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-03-05 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Elaine Othilia Y L Tang; Cemen S M Lai; Kenneth K C Lee; Raymond S M Wong; Gregory Cheng; Thomas Y K Chan Journal: Ann Pharmacother Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 3.154