[Evaluation of an education program of patients undergoing oral anticoagulation treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic impact of an education program on patients undergoing oral anticoagulation treatment, within the hospital of Annecy (France).


METHODS
Groups of 10 patients were invited to participate to two meetings. The education was carried out by two nurses. Thanks to this prospective study, we compare the population before and after education in terms of treatment knowledge and stability.


RESULTS
Within 9 months 88 patients have been included, amongst which 55 have attended the two meetings. The average of correct answers to the knowledge evaluation questionnaire distributed before and after 6 months of education were, respectively, 6.63/12, 10.09/12 (P < 0.0001). Through INR controls within the 6 months preceding (424 controls) and the 6 months following the education (619 controls), we observe: an increase of the total INR average in therapeutic zone, from 45% to 61% (P < 0.0001); a decrease of the difference average per patient between the INR value observed and the one targeted: 0.54 before education, 0.40 after education (P = 0.0016); at last, the average phasing per patient under the therapeutic zone increases after education, from 49% to 65% (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The education improves objectively the knowledge of patient undergoing AVK. If the size of patient sample is not large enough to prove any consequence on hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications, the education program still improves significantly the treatment stability.
Saligari
E
E
Service de cardiologie, centre hospitalier de la région annécienne, 1, avenue du Tresum, 74011 Annecy, France. elisabeth.saligari@wanadoo.fr
Belle
L
L
Berry
C
C
Gonod
M
M
Poiré
V
V
Picard
A
A
Vialle
E
E
Desjoyaux
E
E
D000074:Acenocoumarol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010630:Phenindione / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014812:Vitamin K; D010630:Phenindione; C017673:fluindione; D000074:Acenocoumarol