“It’s About Time” campaign launched to promote greater understanding of thrombosis prevention

Results of a new pan-European survey, presented today, demonstrate a need for improved patient education and less cumbersome treatments to improve efficacy and quality of life amongst patients receiving long-term anticoagulant therapy.1 The survey, conducted with 711 patients receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKA) such as warfarin, marks the launch of It’s About Time, a campaign led by the patient group AntiCoagulation Europe and key international physicians to promote greater understanding of thrombosis and stroke prevention and ultimately, to raise standards of care.

European Society of Cardiology Annual Congress, Munich, Germany

Although effective at preventing blood clots and stroke, VKAs are associated with extensive food and drug interactions and require careful management and regular coagulation monitoring to ensure the balance between efficacy and safety is achieved.

The survey,1 conducted amongst patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) - a condition which results in a six-fold increase risk of stroke2 - highlights the impact of the limitations of VKAs on patients’ lives. 66 percent had to attend blood-monitoring sessions, typically at a hospital or clinic, at least once a month for the entire duration they had received therapy – which for those patients questioned, had been an average of six years, with one in ten patients having received treatment for 15 years or longer.1 Patients reported that their monitoring had a negative impact on their ability to hold down a job, go on holiday and spend time with their families.1 A worrying statistic showed that one in five patients had missed a blood monitoring appointment,1 placing them at an increased likelihood of falling outside their target treatment range, which is measured by INR - raising the risk of stroke and fatal bleeds.

In response to INR fluctuations, patients required dose changes following every fourth monitoring session, on average.1 Unsurprisingly, one in six patients have missed or forgotten to begin their new regime.1

This may also, in part, be explained by the finding over a third of patients believed their being ‘out of range’ had no major effect on their health.1

While a quarter of patients reported taking over the counter or herbal medicines in addition to their prescription drugs, only a third have informed their doctor of this – placing themselves at risk of negative VKA drug interaction and ineffective protection from stroke.1 Almost half of patients modified their diet to avoid food interactions with VKAs.1

Despite the crucial role patients are required to play in managing their own treatment, today’s survey highlights a dearth in patient education. Only 25 percent of patients questioned on their anticoagulant treatment responded that their medication was used to prevent blood clots occurring.1 One in seven AF patients incorrectly thought that VKAs are used to correct their irregular heartbeat.1 Furthermore, a quarter failed to recall receiving any information on AF at their time of diagnosis, and, of those who did receive information, only one in three were provided with information about their treatment.1

“Without an understanding of what the drug does and how everyday actions can affect its efficacy, patients may unwittingly undermine the protection VKAs provide against stroke,” comments Eve Knight, Chair, AntiCoagulation Europe. “It’s About Time will bring together physicians and patient groups to urge for improved education and new treatment options to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients receiving long-term anticoagulation.”

Today’s survey complements the Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology,3 a survey conducted by the ESC amongst cardiologists in 35 countries to identify attitudes towards, and opinions of, the management of anticoagulation in AF.

“The ESC is committed to improving standards of care for patients with AF and the Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation will assist by identifying and sharing best practice,” commented Professor Harry Crijns, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Maastricht, and lead investigator, Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation. “We welcome the It’s About Time campaign and the findings of today’s patient survey, which will help to raise discussion to ensure that patients on long-term, anticoagulation are receiving the best care possible.”

The ‘It’s About Time’ patient survey is sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca.