Among 143 patients with atrial fibrillation, only 46.9% could correctly identify a risk of anticoagulation and only 25.9% identified ischemic stroke as a disease risk, revealing a major knowledge gap.
Cross-Sectional (n=143)
What is the level of knowledge about stroke risk and antithrombotic therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation?
There is a significant knowledge gap among atrial fibrillation patients regarding stroke risk and anticoagulation therapy, which may negatively impact treatment adherence.
OBJECTIVE: Large population campaigns have been conducted in Brazil to improve knowledge about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of time to care. Parallel to these important actions, we aimed to evaluate the lay knowledge of patients with atrial fibrillation, a well-recognized etiology of stroke, adequate treatment and management of which can prevent up to 30% of cerebrovascular events. METHODS: We questioned 143 patients with atrial fibrillation about the risks associated with the disease. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent were on anticoagulation treatment. Of the total, 63.6% reported having been informed about the risks and benefits of anticoagulants but only 46.9% were able to correctly mention one of these risks. Ischemic stroke was identified as a risk by only 25.9% and hemorrhagic stroke was not mentioned. A CHADS2 ≥ 2 was scored by 84.0% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed an alarming knowledge gap in patients with atrial fibrillation. Difficulty in adherence to treatment resulting from the failure of this communication is possibly one of the factors responsible for the high incidence and recurrence of stroke, and should not go unnoticed.
Leitão et al. (2018) conducted a cross-sectional in Atrial fibrillation (n=143). Patient knowledge of atrial fibrillation and antithrombotic therapy was evaluated on Ability to correctly mention a risk of anticoagulants. Among 143 patients with atrial fibrillation, only 46.9% could correctly identify a risk of anticoagulation and only 25.9% identified ischemic stroke as a disease risk, revealing a major knowledge gap.