Warfarin Treatment: Home Health Services VersusOutpatient Clinics

Abstract

Objective: Warfarin use is difficult due to the necessity for regular international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring and drug– drug interaction. However, it is still the most widely preferred oral anticoagulant. This study aimed to assess the efficacy andreliability of warfarin use by patients attending outpatient clinics (OC) or who received home health services (HHS). Materials and Methods: This study included 204 patients followed by OC and HHS and receiving warfarin treatment.Demographic and clinical characteristics and INR monitoring frequency were evaluated. Moreover, complications wereretrospectively questioned. The interactions between warfarin use and other medications were assessed. Hypertension,Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile INR, Elderly, Drugs/alcohol (HAS-BLED)and Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) scores were calculated in the atrial fibrillation (AF) group. Results: The patients followed by HHS were older (78 vs. 68, p