Survey shows nearly 90% of patients on warfarin would like to self-monitor

Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland launches the next generation of INR patient self-monitoring meter for people on warfarin anticoagulant therapy.

The new CoaguChek INRange meter allows patients to send their results to their clinic via an App on their phone using wireless connectivity. This innovation helps to empower patients to take control of their therapy and reduce the number of clinic visits that they have to make, saving both time and money.

Today’s launch of the new CoaguChek INRange meter coincides with the publication of a new patient survey carried out by the Atrial Fibrillation Association. Results showed that of those patients currently on warfarin surveyed, 86% of patients agreed that they would consider patient self-monitoring to give them a life free from frequent clinic visits as they could quickly and easily send results to their healthcare professional. With the CoaguChek INRange meter, important reminders can be set up for events such as when to test or when to take medication. Comments can be added to specific results and these can be displayed in graphs, allowing patients to see how many of their results fall within their target therapeutic range.

The results of the AF Association patient opinion survey confirm some of the extensive research around the development of this innovative next generation meter. Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of the Atrial Fibrillation Association said, “The AF Association welcomes the launch of the INRange meter that can be a sustainable solution to the needs of patients on warfarin. Of patients surveyed who currently do not self-monitor, 86% said that they would consider doing so”.

Several previous trials have demonstrated that for those on long term warfarin, patient self-monitoring significantly improves time in therapeutic range (TTR) and leads to better outcomes including 50% reduction in thromboembolism and 13% reduction in major haemorrhage(1). The CoaguChek INRange meter provides immediate feedback showing whether a patient’s results are in target range, thereby offering reassurance and peace of mind.

Pierre Hazlewood, Director of Point of Care, concludes, “Our new meter helps encourage healthcare professional and patient dialogue, using Apps available to link the results directly to the clinic.  Reminders can be setup for important events such as when to test, take medication or next doctor's appointment”. In addition the new CoaguChek INRange on-screen help provides text guidance through-out the test procedure.

NOTES

Anticoagulation drugs affect the blood’s ability to clot, it is important that the right dose is maintained in order to reduce the risk of severe bleeding or other complications. The new INRange CoaguChek monitor will help to monitor these doses without the need for frequent visits to a clinic.

It is estimated that just a 5% improvement in TTR across UK anticoagulation clinics would prevent 400 – 500 strokes per year(2). Furthermore if 10% of the current 950,000 patients switched to point of care devices, the NHS could save over £11.2million per year(3)

The purpose of the survey was to help discover patient needs about INR self-monitoring versus clinic visits. The benefits are reinforced in the 2014 NICE guidance on INR self-monitoring(4). The development and distribution of the AF Association survey was funded by Roche. Roche have not been involved in creating the content of the survey.

References

1. Garcia-Alamino JM et al, The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 4
2. Connolly SJ, Circulation 2008;118:2029-2037
3. Craig J et al, Journal of Medical Economics 2014
4. NICE Diagnostics guidance [DG14] September 2014