Knowledge about atrial fibrillation and direct oral anticoagulation agents in Greek patients. (29th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ioannidis, A; Fragkiskou, A; Paraskelidou, M; Pechlevanis, A
• Is Part Of: European journal of cardiovascular nursing. Volume 20(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-07-29
• Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- nursing -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Vascular Diseases -- Periodicals; 610.7369105
• DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvab060.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-5151

Abstract

Abstract: Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: None. Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) poses significant burden to patients, physicians, and healthcare systems globally. Patient knowledge about AF and its management is often limited though it is a perquisite for patient involvement and shared decision making. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended for stroke prevention. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about AF and anticoagulation of AF patients. Methods: Patients with AF on DOACs visiting the outpatient clinics of a city hospital in northern Greece were invited to participate. The Jessa AF Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) was used (as part of the validation study of the Greek translation). Results: In total, 285 patients participated (female 57.9%) with mean age 65 ± 13 years. The mean JAKQ score was 57.2 ± 17.4% corresponding to medium level of knowledge. Higher scores were positively associated with more schooling years and longer AF duration. The percentage of correct answer varied among the questions. One third of the participants answered wrongly (59 patients, 20.7%) or didn't know (38 patients, 13.3%) what atrial fibrillation means. More than half of the patients didn't know that AF is not always accompanied by symptoms and that medication cannot prevent AF permanently (154, 54.0% and 169, 59.3% respectively). The majority of patients knew that strokes are a consequence of AF and that blood thinners are prescribed in order to prevent clot formation (222, 77.9% and 226, 79.3% correspondingly). Moreover, most patients didn't know correctly which painkiller they should prefer (177, 62.1%) and what to do when missing a dose (172, 60.4%). As expected patients who has experienced a bleeding event (minor or major that lead to medical care) scored higher (62.3% vs. 56.2%, p < 0.05). All patients replied that they would like to be offered more information (leaflets, online site, mobile applications, etc.). Conclusions: A brief and validated questionnaire could be used to assess patients" knowledge of their condition and treatment, which would reveal important gaps. Further research is needed to evaluate if such an instrument could be used as a tool for individually tailored patient education.