Factors Associated with Anticoagulation Adherence in Chinese Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

• Main Authors: Song T, Xin X, Cui P, Zong M, Li X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-03-01
• Series: Patient Preference and Adherence
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation; medication adherence; anticoagulation; non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/factors-associated-with-anticoagulation-adherence-in-chinese-patients--peer-reviewed-article-PPA

Ting Song,1,* Xiao Xin,2,* Peirong Cui,1 Mingcan Zong,1 Xianhua Li3 1School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Outpatient Office, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xianhua LiDepartment of Outpatient Office, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Inadequate medication adherence among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) will directly affect the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation therapy, leading to a considerable increase in the risk of ischemic stroke and death. In this study, we aim to investigate medication adherence and identify the influencing factors, including social-demographic, disease-related information and self-efficacy.Patients and Methods: We recruited 170 patients with NVAF from a tertiary hospital atrial fibrillation outpatient clinics and cardiology ward from June 2020 to September 2020. Patients who had been taking oral anticoagulation medication for at least 3 months were included. And Morisky medication adherence scale (MGL) was used to assess the adherence to anticoagulants, which scores < 4 were considered as low adherence.Results: Fifty (29.4%) NVAF patients had a MGL score< 4. Monthly income, types of comorbidities, number of drugs, and self-efficacy were determinants of anticoagulation adherence. Binomial logistic regression showed that patients had been prescribed more durgs (OR: 3.51, p=0.002), had high monthly income (OR: 7.87, p=0.001), without other diseases (OR: 8.00, p=0.005), and with higher self-efficacy (OR: 1.42, p=0.001) showed high adherence.Conclusion: Number of drugs, types of comorbidities, monthly income, and self-efficacy were associated with the adherence of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs).Keywords: atrial fibrillation, medication adherence, anticoagulation, non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, determinants