Lacunae in patient knowledge about oral anticoagulant treatment: results of a questionnaire survey.

Oral anticoagulation therapy is affected by the drug used, intensity of anticoagulation, physician's experience, patient compliance, laboratory testing and patient education. Patient education is a key factor in optimal anticoagulation and safety in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy. This study was done to assess the knowledge of patients regarding oral anticoagulant therapy in the outpatient setting. This prospective study was done over 2 months in 101 patients on outpatient oral anticoagulant therapy. A 20-point questionnaire on various aspects of oral anticoagulation therapy was administered to assess their knowledge. The answers were graded on a scale of 0-1. Scores were then added up to quantify the knowledge status in each patient. Descriptive statistics and Student's t test was used to analyse the data. The mean knowledge score among patients was 9.4/18 (52.2 %). More than half (52.8 %) of the patients had a score of <9. More than half (54.4 %) of the patients had adequate knowledge-(>80 % score-5.5/7) about the critical (must know) questions regarding OAT. Patients with age ≥60 years had lower mean scores compared to those <60 years of age (p = 0.028). Illiteracy was also associated (p < 0.0001) with poor scores. There are significant lacunae in the knowledge about oral anticoagulation among patients on outpatient treatment. Older age and illiteracy were associated with poor knowledge among patients. More emphasis needs to be given to the vital aspect of patient education to make this therapy safer for patients.