Investigation of Education Requirements of Individuals Using Warfarin and Achievement of Target INR Value

Abstract

Thromboembolic diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Oral anticoagulants for preventing or treating thromboembolic diseases reduce blood clotting and prevent fibrin deposition, thrombus development, and growth. This study aimed to investigate the educational needs and the rate of reaching the target INR level of individuals using warfarin for heart diseases. The population of this cross-sectional study was attempted to reach the entire population by not choosing a sample due to heart diseases between August –September 2019 in the cardiology outpatient clinic of a public hospital operating in Istanbul. However, due to the voluntary basis and incorrect registration of the questionnaires, 157 participants formed the sample. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program. 75.1% of the individuals stated that they were informed about the use of warfarin, and 66.8% of those who received the information stated that they received the information from their physician. In addition, 75.7% stated that they took warfarin regularly, 81.7% had regular INR control, 52.1% knew the target INR value, 68.9% knew the complications. It was found to be 47.6. A statistically significant difference was found between individuals who reached the target INR level and those who did not, according to their information acquisition status (p <0.05). The low rate of individuals reaching the target INR level draws attention. For this reason, it is thought that the knowledge level of patients who are starting treatment with warfarin should be increased, and new generation oral anticoagulant drugs can be used as an anticoagulant treatment instead of warfarin in patients whose target INR cannot be achieved despite sufficient training.