Satisfaction with oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation

Suárez Fernández, Carmen; Castilla-Guerra, Luis; Cantero Hinojosa, Jesus; Suriñach, Josep Maria; Acosta de Bilbao, Fernando; Tamarit, Juan José; Diaz Diaz, José Luis; Hernández, Jose Luis; Pose, Antonio; Montero-Pérez-Barquero, Manuel; Roquer, Jaume; Gállego, Jaime; Vivancos, José; Mostaza, José María

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S152109

Satisfaction with oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation

Llicència

Citació

Suárez Fernández C, Castilla-Guerra L, Cantero Hinojosa J, Suriñach JM, Acosta de Bilbao F, Tamarit JJ, et al. Satisfaction with oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018 Feb 19;12:267-74. DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S152109

Resum

BACKGROUND: Although, by itself, atrial fibrillation is associated with an impairment of quality of life antithrombotic therapy may play a role. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the satisfaction with anticoagulant treatment in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who attended internal medicine departments in Spain. METHODS: Patients from two different cross-sectional studies were combined. To measure the satisfaction with anticoagulant treatment, the Anti-Clot-Treatment Scale (ACTS) questionnaire was completed by every patient. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with satisfaction of patients receiving oral anticoagulants. RESULTS: A total of 1,309 patients (mean age 78.5±8.4 years; 49.3% men; CHA2DS2VASC 4.9±1.5; HAS-BLED 2.0±0.9) were included in the study, of whom 902 (68.9%) were taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and 407 (31.1%) direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Overall, satisfaction with oral anticoagulation was high (ACTS Burdens scale 49.69±9.45; ACTS Benefits scale 11.35±2.61). The perceived burdens with anticoagulant treatment were lower in men, as well as in patients with no dependency, normal renal function, who were not polymedicated, or who had moderate bleeding risk. Among patients taking VKA, those subjects with a lower number of International Normalized Ratio (INR) determinations in the last 6 months or with an optimal time in the therapeutic range exhibited a lower perceived burden. Patients taking DOACs (vs VKA) showed a lower perceived burden with anticoagulation. Benefits with anti-coagulation were higher in men, younger patients, those with no dependency, or low bleeding risk. Perceived benefits were higher in patients taking DOACs (vs VKA). CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with oral anticoagulation was high in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, who were attending internal medicine departments daily in Spain. Among patients taking VKA, those subjects with a lower number of INR determinations in the last 6 months or with an optimal time in the therapeutic range exhibited a lower perceived burden with anticoagulant therapy. Patients taking DOACs (vs VKA) showed lower perceived burdens and higher perceived benefits with anticoagulation.