Long-term warfarin therapy did not significantly affect health perceptions compared to control (score 68.8 vs 66.6; CI -1.6 to 6.0), though bleeding episodes significantly decreased perceived health.
RCT (n=333)
randomized
Yes
Absolute Event Rate: 68.8% vs 66.6%
To determine the effect of long-term warfarin sodium therapy on quality of life, we surveyed 333 patients participating in a randomized, controlled trial of warfarin for the prevention of stroke in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. No significant differences between warfarin-treated and control patients were found on well-validated measures of functional status, well-being, and health perceptions. For example, the summary score for health perceptions was 68.8 in the warfarin-treated vs 66.6 in the control group (scale of 0 to 100; 95% confidence intervals for the difference, —1.6 to 6.0). In contrast, patients taking warfarin who had a bleeding episode had a significant decrease in health perceptions (-11.9; 95% confidence interval, —4.1 to — 19.6 Warfarin therapy is not usually associated with a significant decrease in perceived health, unless a bleeding episode has occurred. Negative effects of warfarin treatment on health perceptions may be balanced by confidence in its protective effects. (Arch Intern Med. 1991;151:1944-1949)
T. R. Lancaster (Tue,) conducted a rct in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (n=333). warfarin sodium vs. control was evaluated on summary score for health perceptions (95% CI -1.6 to 6.0). Long-term warfarin therapy did not significantly affect health perceptions compared to control (score 68.8 vs 66.6; CI -1.6 to 6.0), though bleeding episodes significantly decreased perceived health.