Adherence to oral anticoagulation therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Warfarin is the most frequently prescribed anticoagulant. Clinical treatment is demanding because of the narrow therapeutic range and considerable differences between the patients. The aim of this survey is to establish adherence to warfarin in subjects who have been prescribed warfarin as a long-term therapy.

Methods: The survey included 30 subjects, and  was conducted at local pharmacy store. Statistical processing was carried out using the SPSS (ver. 21.) software. Used for qualitative variables was the Chi-square test, and for quantitative ones the ANOVA test. Data were provided in the form of tables and charts. Level of significance was p=0.05.

Results: The survey included 30 subjects, 14 men and 16 women.  Of the total number of polled subjects, 15 were informed by a health care professional about the specificities of warfarin use, 7 said they were not informed, while 8 said they did not know. Most compliant in terms of regularly taking their medicines were pensioners, followed by the unemployed, χ2=13.231; p<0.05.  The number of subjects within the expected therapeutic INR range was 22 (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Strict compliance with the warfarin regimen is important in order to increase its effectiveness, extend the time and strengthen the intensity of anticoagulant action in the body. That is why the target groups of patients, who use warfarin, need additional information before and during therapy, in order to avoid side effects, and at the same time maintain therapeutic efficacy of the medicine throughout the treatment.