The impact of long-term warfarin therapy on quality of life. Evidence from a randomized trial. Boston Area Anticoagulation Trial for Atrial Fibrillation Investigators.
To determine the effect of long-term warfarin sodium therapy on quality of life, we surveyed 333 patients participating in a randomized, controlled trial of warfarin for the prevention of stroke in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. No significant differences between warfarin-treated and control patients were found on well-validated measures of functional status, well-being, and health perceptions. For example, the summary score for health perceptions was 68.8 in the warfarin-treated vs 66.6 in the control group (scale of 0 to 100; 95% confidence intervals for the difference, -1.6 to 6.0). In contrast, patients taking warfarin who had a bleeding episode had a significant decrease in health perceptions (-11.9; 95% confidence interval, -4.1 to -19.6). Warfarin therapy is not usually associated with a significant decrease in perceived health, unless a bleeding episode has occurred. Negative effects of warfarin treatment on health perceptions may be balanced by confidence in its protective effects.
General Internal Medicine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
T R
TR
Lancaster
D E
DE
Singer
M A
MA
Sheehan
L B
LB
Oertel
S W
SW
Maraventano
R A
RA
Hughes
J P
JP
Kistler
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014859:Warfarin