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[Level of knowledge among patients treated with oral anticoagulant]
Réka Várnai1, Mária Végh, László Pótó
1Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Koordinációs Központ Családorvostani Intézet és III. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Klinikai Központ, Pécs Akác u. 1. 7632. rekavarnai@yahoo.com
Insights
Patient knowledge about acenocoumarol treatment, including adverse effects and interactions, is often inadequate. Improving patient education through a multidisciplinary team approach is essential for safer anticoagulation management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Patient Education
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Acenocoumarol treatment is frequently linked to major bleeding events, necessitating comprehensive patient understanding.
- Assessing patient knowledge is crucial for mitigating risks associated with acenocoumarol therapy.
Purpose:
- To evaluate patient awareness of acenocoumarol's adverse effects, drug interactions, and nutritional considerations.
- To identify knowledge gaps in patients undergoing acenocoumarol treatment.
Summary:
- A study involving 157 patients revealed significant gaps in knowledge regarding acenocoumarol's side effects, dietary interactions (71.4% unaware), and medication interactions (e.g., aspirin 24.4%, analgesics 23.0%).
- Patients informed by a full healthcare team (doctors, nurses, dietitians) demonstrated better awareness of adverse effects compared to those informed by single providers.
- Knowledge about drug interactions, such as with aspirin, analgesics, and vitamin K, was notably low across the patient cohort.
Impact:
- Enhancing patient knowledge on acenocoumarol treatment is vital for improving adherence and reducing bleeding complications.
- The findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving nurses and dietitians, to significantly improve patient education and anticoagulation safety.
Unlabelled:
Hospitalization attributable to gastrointestinal and other major bleeding is frequently associated with acenocoumarol treatment.
Aims:
To assess the level of knowledge among patients in respect to harmful adverse effects, interactions with medication and nutrition regarding acenocoumarol treatment.
Methods:
Questionnaires consisting of 66 questions were completed in offices of family doctors (77), and during consultations at the 3rd Department of Internal Medicine (80).
Results:
157 patients (male:female=45:55; age=65.5 years) were involved. In the group informed by the whole team (doctors, nurses and dietitians) everyone heard about the possible adverse effects. In the group where family doctors or other specialists provided information, 14.5% or 31.1% did not hear about any side-effect. The importance of diet was unknown by 71.4% of the patients. The knowledge of interactions between acenocoumarol and other medications is low: aspirin was known by 24.4%, analgetics by 23.0% and vitamin K by 18.6% of the patient.
Conclusions:
Regarding acenocoumarol treatment, patients' knowledge should be enlarged. However, it can be significantly improved by the contribution of other team members such as nurses and dietitians.
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