Current status and influencing factors of self-management in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation under different anticoagulant therapy in Jiangsu province, China: A multi-center across‑sectional study

Abstract

Background: There is little research focusing on the current status and influencing factors of self-management in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) under different anticoagulant therapy. This study aims to explore the current status of self-management of NVAF who took Warfarin, New Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC), Aspirin and No medication, and analyze the factors associated with their self-management ability in Jiangsu province, China. Methods: This was a multi-center, cross-sectional study that was conducted in six hospitals from December 2017 to October 2018. The general information and self-management of patients were collected by questionnaires and from the medical records. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with self-management.Results: A total of 555 participant completed the survey. The status of self-management was unsatisfactory in patients with NVAF, there were significant differences (P＜0.01) of self-management among patients in different anticoagulant groups and Warfarin group was relatively better (71.21±12.33). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the determinants of poor self-management in Warfarin group was the lower educational status (P＜0.01); in Aspirin group, comorbidities (P=0.015) and age＜65 years (P＜0.01) were the determinants of self-poor management; while in No medication group, age＜65 years (P=0.047), single (P＜0.01), poor sleep quality (P＜0.01) and permanent AF (P＜0.01) were the determinants of poor self-management. Conclusion: The current status of self-management among Chinese patientswith NVAF in Jiangsu province does not appear optimistic. Therefore, further studies should focus on how to improve the self-management among NVAF patients. In addition, policy makers should pay attention to identify patients at risk of poor self-management and take measures to improve their self-management.