Use of oral anticoagulants in Eastern Saudi Arabia: assessment of patients' adherence and exploring views of health care professionals

Abdel Rahman, Medani (2023). Use of oral anticoagulants in Eastern Saudi Arabia: assessment of patients' adherence and exploring views of health care professionals. University of Birmingham. Other

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Abstract

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are one of the mainstays of the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Yet, in contrast with other regions of the world, the Middle East region has reported low levels of adherence to OACs. In this DPharm study, patient's adherence to OACs was assessed in Eastern Saudi Arabia. As a first step, a systematic literature review was conducted to investigate adherence to OACs in the Middle East. Then, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiac centre (PSCC) in Alhassa area, Eastern Saudi Arabia, using surveys and the self-reported Hill-Bone scale to evaluate OACs adherence. Finally, interviews were conducted to investigate Health Care Professionals' perceptions and experiences on OAC prescriptions and adherence in Eastern Saudi Arabia. According to the systematic review, adherence to OACs in this region varied between 5% and 54%. Besides, the majority of the literature was on warfarin, a commonly prescribed OAC in this region. Three hundred and twelve participants were recruited in the study. Based on the statistical analysis result, 29.8% of the participating patients adhere to their OACs medications. Moreover, warfarin (34%) was adhered to more frequently than Direct Oral Anti Coagulants (DOACs) (22%). A binary logistic regression analysis found adherence to OACs to be significantly influenced by age, gender, medication duration, OACs knowledge, and missed doses. Fifteen HCPs were interviewed in the study. Based on interviews with HCPs, it became clear that effective communication strategies could improve communication between practitioners at different levels of care, and between HCPs and OAC users. Training pharmacists to offer pharmaceutical services to individuals on OACs, such as conducting medication use reviews and assessing new medications, will have a beneficial effect on enhancing medication adherence.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Other)

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Other

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