Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF ORAL ANTICOAGULATION KNOWLEDGE AMONG RURAL INDIAN POPULATION

M. Chokkalingam, S. Saradha*, Pradeep G. Nayar and A. Ruckmani

Abstract

Aim: 1. To assess Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge (OAK) among valve replacement patients. 2. To correlate OAK score with INR values of patient. Methodology: 100 patients who have undergone valve replacement surgery and on oral anticoagulation therapy for a minimum period of 6 months were included. The OAK test created by Zeolla et. al was used. Study design: Questionnaire based prospective cross sectional study. After getting informed consent of the subject, OAK assessment questionnaire was given. Each question was explained and response noted by trained staff. Scoring was categorized as low(75%). Results: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. 79.17% of patients had low and 20.13% had medium OAK score. No patient had high OAK score. 90% of those with medium OAK had control INR, while only 71.05% with low OAK had control INR. Conclusion: The oral anticoagulation knowledge among patients was not satisfactory. Patients with medium OAK score had better INR control than those with low OAK score.

Keywords: Oral anticoagulation knowledge, Warfarin, therapeutic INR range.