Patient preferences conflict with guidelines on atrial fibrillation

Concerns have been expressed about the poor uptake of anticoagulation treatment among elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. Qualitative research has established the importance of patients' preferences in determining choice of anticoagulation treatment in these patients. In an observational study of 97 patients with atrial fibrillation, Protheroe et al (p 1380) showed that by eliciting patients' preferences and performing decision analysis, 61% of patients would accept anticoagulation treatment, considerably lower than the proportion who would be recommended treatment according to current guidelines.

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Relevant Article

The impact of patients' preferences on the treatment of atrial fibrillation: observational study of patient based decision analysis • Commentary: patients, preferences, and evidence

Joanne Protheroe, Tom Fahey, Alan A Montgomery, Tim J Peters, and Liam Smeeth
BMJ 2000 320: 1380-1384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]