[Oral anticoagulation treatment in patients with non-valvular auricular fibrillation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and difficulties of family doctors in the indication of oral anti-coagulation treatment (OCT) in patients with non-valvular auricular fibrillation (NVAF).


METHODS
Transversal descriptive study.Setting. Area 11 of Madrid primary care.Participants. 250 doctors by simple randomised sampling.


METHODS
After a pilot study at a health centre, mailing of a questionnaire with a subsequent re-mailing. This collected social and personal details, knowledge of the question, attitudes and difficulties.


RESULTS
157 (62.8%) replied; 91 were women (58.0%); mean age was 39 (SD, 6.0). 97 had reviewed the question recently (61.8%). 110 thought that the anti-aggregation criteria were clear (70.1%; CI, 62.2-77.0%), 107 that the oral anti-coagulation criteria were (68.2%; CI, 60.2-75.2%), 132 that the OCT risks were (84.1%; CI, 77.2-89.2%), and 74 that risk factors of cerebrovascular accident were clear (47.1%; CI, 39.2-55.2%). Initially 96 doctors gave anti-aggregants and referred to cardiology (61.1%; CI, 53.0-68.7%), and 29 began OCT (18.5%; CI, 12.9-25.6%). 134 thought that we avoided initiating OCT (85.3%; CI, 78.6-90.3%), giving as the main reasons the difficulty of monitoring and of requesting further tests, the risks involved and OCT not being up-to-date.


CONCLUSIONS
Most professionals have the criteria for OCT in NVAF clear, although they continue to avoid the initiation of OCT. The majority approach is to give anti-aggregants and refer to Cardiology, given the risk of the therapy and the difficulties involved in monitoring and requesting further tests.
Arrojo Arias
E
E
Médico de familia. EAP Orcasitas. Madrid. Spain.
Mora Navarro
G
G
Abón Santos
A
A
Araujo Luis
M S
MS
Capdevila Gallego
C
C
Gutiérrez Torres
M J
MJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors