Anticoagulant satisfaction of patients using oral anticoagulants and determination of first aid knowledge levels in open injuries

Together with the aging population, there has been an increase in cardiovascular diseases and the most frequently used medicine in the prevention and treatment of these diseases is warfarin. Warfarin saves lives on one hand, but causes burden and limitations due to conditions specific to the medicine on the other hand. In addition, it has a higher risk of bleeding due to its narrow therapeutic interval. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study to determine anticoagulant satisfaction in patients taking oral anticoagulants and first aid knowledge level in open injuries. Sample of the study consisted of n=121 individuals who applied to the neurology clinic/polyclinic and cardiology clinic/polyclinic at Istanbul province Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital and met the inclusion criteria. Data of the study were collected with a questionnaire form including the Duke Anticoagulant Satisfaction Scale (DASS), Has-Bled bleeding risk score, descriptive data and first aid knowledge level scale. Statistical analysis of the data was performed in the SPSS23.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2015. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) statistics package program. Age average of the individuals who participated in the study was (mean±Ss) 60,66±13,24 years. Among the participants; 52,9% consisted of female patients, 47,1% male patients, 72,7% married patients and 28,9% primary school graduate patients. Score average was found to be 88,20±13,70 for the DASS; 33,58±7,23 for the limitations lower dimension, 28,19±7,16 for the burden and difficulties lower dimension and 24,31±3,37 for the positive effects lower dimension. It was determined that there was no significant correlation between the HAS-BLED bleeding risk score and the DASS and first aid knowledge levels (p>0,05). According to the sociodemographic data, it was determined that there was a significant correlation between first aid knowledge levels (p<0,05). As a consequence, it is believed that including patients who take oral anticoagulants in training support programs and following them with a multidisciplinary team understanding throughout the oral anticoagulant treatment, will not only make a contribution to the side effects and management of warfarin, but will also minimize health expenditures caused by undesired effects.