Patient perspectives on taking vitamin K antagonists: a qualitative study in the UK, USA and Spain

Abstract

Aim: Limitations of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) include frequent monitoring, dietary restrictions and drug interactions. This study conducted an indepth exploration of perspectives of VKA therapy in respondents with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism. Methods: A total of 60 respondents, recruited from the UK, USA and Spain, were interviewed on their experiences and views of VKA therapy. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Results: Although there were some differences between the countries and some small differences between atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism respondents, many respondents found various aspects of VKA to be burdensome, including the international normalized ratio monitoring and dietary considerations. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism respondents accept the limitations of VKAs and the adjustments to their lifestyles, but recognize a lack of alternative treatment.

Keywords::

• anticoagulation
• atrial fibrillation
• patient-reported outcome
• patient satisfaction
• psychological impact
• venous thromboembolism
• vitamin K antagonist

Acknowledgements

All authors were involved in the design of the study, in the writing of the manuscript and final proofreading of the article. Diane Wild was responsible for managing the project and analyzing the data.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Financial & competing interest disclosure

This study was supported by Bayer HealthCare AG and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C. Miranda Murray was an employee of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals during the conduct of this study. Christina Donatti was employed by Oxford Outcomes during the conduct of this study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. The authors would like to thank Margaret Duggan-Keen and Chris Thomas who provided medical writing assistance with funding from Bayer HealthCare AG.