Association between satisfaction with and adherence to warfarin therapy on the control of international normalized ratio: A hospital-based study in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: High satisfaction with, and adherence to, warfarin therapy are linked to better international normalized ratio (INR) control and good therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify the association between satisfaction with, and adherence to, warfarin therapy and the control of the INR within the target therapeutic range. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to August 31, 2016, at the Anticoagulation Clinic in the Cardiology Center at King Fahad Hospital, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. All adult patients included in the study were 18-years-old or older and were on warfarin therapy for 6 months or more. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 298 patients were included. Of them, 194 patients (65.1%) were males and 152 (51.0%) were classified as satisfied with their warfarin therapy. Secondary educational level and above (P = .001) and being non-Saudi (P = .026) were identified as determinants of a high level of satisfaction. Ninety-five (31.8%) participants were classified as adherent to the therapy, and satisfaction with treatment was the only predictor of adherence (P = .009). One hundred thirty-six patients (45.6%) achieved their target INR range. Satisfaction (P = .038) and adherence (P = .023) were significantly associated with better INR control. CONCLUSION: Substantial efforts are needed to improve patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment through different strategies in order to achieve the target therapeutic goal for warfarin treatment.