Abstract
BackgroundTreatment with oral anticoagulant may influence the quality of life perception as it promotes changes in the patient's life, not offering an evident symptomatic relief and presenting well defined risks, such as bleeding. In this trial, the influence of chronic use of anticoagulants on the quality of life perception has been analyzed in patients assisted at the anticoagulation outpatient unit.MethodsThe health related quality of life was evaluated through a cross-section study with a sample composed of 72 patients seen from July 23, 2009 to September 2, 2010 at the Anticoagulation Outpatient Unit of the Federal University of Bahia's University Hospital. The study's population was composed by patients with atrial fibrillation and mechanical heart valve. The patients were submitted to two quality of life evaluation questionnaires: a generic questionnaire - the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Health Survey (SF36) - and a specific questionnaire - the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS).ResultsThe quality of life perception of the patients studied, based on both the DASS and the SF36, was positive regarding the treatment with oral anticoagulant. The SF36 presented an average score of 62.2 (± 20.0). Among the SF36 evaluated domains, the physical-emotional aspect was the most compromised one regarding life quality perception. The DASS presented an average score of 67.1 (± 18.2) and the domain presenting a greater compromise was the one related to the treatment inconveniences (annoyances, burdens and obligations). Previous hemorrhagic event, comorbidities, drug interactions with medicines that increase the anticoagulant effect, lower education level in the SF36 and younger age group influence a more negative perception of the quality of life, whereas lower education level in the DASS and the duration of treatment for more than 1 year offer a more positive perception.ConclusionPatients seen at the anticoagulation outpatient unit of the University Hospital of Federal University of Bahia/Brazil had a positive perception of the treatment. Factors such as hemorrhagic event, comorbidities, drug interactions, education level, age group and duration of treatment have an influence on the quality of life perception.
Highlights
Treatment with oral anticoagulant may influence the quality of life perception as it promotes changes in the patient’s life, not offering an evident symptomatic relief and presenting well defined risks, such as bleeding
Most of the patients studied, based on the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) and SF36, showed a positive perception regarding the quality of life (QoL) when in treatment with oral anticoagulant. Such finding in regard to the overall QoL is similar to that noted in the study of Casais [2], in which most patients showed a positive perception of the oral anticoagulant treatment
This study showed that most patients under chronic treatment with oral anticoagulant showed a positive perception of QoL when attending an anticoagulation specialized outpatient service
Summary
Treatment with oral anticoagulant may influence the quality of life perception as it promotes changes in the patient’s life, not offering an evident symptomatic relief and presenting well defined risks, such as bleeding. The chronic use of oral anticoagulants can promote an influence on the patient’s perception regarding his/her QoL and health status due to the changes it promotes in the patient’s life style, and mainly because patients are submitted to a treatment that brings no symptomatic benefit, but presents a welldefined risk. It is noted the importance of getting to know the difficulties involving living with oral anticoagulant treatments
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