The Effect of Self-Monitoring the INR on Quality of Anticoagulation and Quality of Life

Wolfgang Kulinna; Dietrich Ney; Thomas Wenzel; Dieter L. Heene; Job Harenberg

doi:10.1055/s-2007-996435

Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Table of Contents

Semin Thromb Hemost 1999; 25(1): 123-126
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-996435

The Effect of Self-Monitoring the INR on Quality of Anticoagulation and Quality of Life

Wolfgang Kulinna^* , Dietrich Ney^* , Thomas Wenzel^† , Dieter L. Heene^* , Job Harenberg^*

From the *Ist Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany and
†Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie des Allgemeinen Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien, Austria.

Abstract

PDF Download

Abstract

In a prospective cohort study the influence of self-monitoring of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) was examined on 100 consecutive patients for a period of 6 months. Quality of life changed in a positive way. Independence and better organization of vacation and spare time were the most frequently mentioned advantages of the new method. Quality of anticoagulation by using a self-monitoring device was improved compared to the values before using the self-monitoring device. For measuring the INR, the usage of a portable monitor as the primary method can be recommended in selected patients receiving oral long-term anticoagulation.

Keywords:

Oral anticoagulation - quality of life - self-management - INR

PDF (594 kb)