[Evaluation of an educational program for oral anticoagulation in children with the INR home-monitoring CoaguChek XS(®)]

Abstract

Objective: To assesses the results of our education program relative to anticoagulation therapy and self-monitoring of INR.

Materials and methods: All children treated with oral anticoagulation therapy and followed using INR self-monitoring in Tours and Nantes, France, were included. A questionnaire on the treatment and its management was sent to the patients and their family. We analyzed the quality of anticoagulation using the proportion of INR within the target range.

Results: Thirty-three children were included, with a mean age of 10.9years. Thirty-one questionnaires could be analyzed. Insufficient knowledge on the treatment objective and risks, the INR target range, and the interpretation of the INR was observed. We found 65.8% of INRs within the target range. The proportion of INRs within the target range was better with the INR self-testing than with the laboratory test (69.7% vs. 49.1%, P=0.003). There was no major complication observed during the study period. A moderate correlation (K=0.57) was noted between the INRs measured with the point-of-care monitor and the laboratory test on the same day.

Conclusion: However, home-monitoring of oral anticoagulation therapy increases the quality of anticoagulation. Both education and the training program need improvement in order to provide patients and their families with better knowledge on anticoagulation therapy.