Review: self monitoring increases the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy

• Published in: BMJ evidence-based medicine Vol. 11; no. 4; p. 103
• Main Author: Spandorfer, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.08.2006; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Funding; heparin; self administration; Studies; Thromboembolism; warfarin
• ISSN: 1356-5524; 2515-446X; 1473-6810; 2515-4478
• DOI: 10.1136/ebm.11.4.103

Outcomes at 2-24 months Self monitoring category Number of studies (n) Weighted event rates RRR (95% CI) NNT (CI) Self monitoring Control Thromboembolic event Self test 6 (1341) 3.8% 6.5% 41% (6.6 to 64) 38 (25 to 234) Self manage 8 (1629) 0.8% 3.0% 72% (40 to 88) 46 (38 to 82) Both 14 (2970) 2.1% 4.6% 54% (31 to 69) 41 (32 to 71) Major bleeding Self test 5 (1191) 4.0% 7.0% 42% (6.5 to 64) 34 (23 to 219) Self manage 8 (1629) 1.3% 1.4% 6.9% (-102 to 58) Not significant Both 13 (2820) 2.5% 3.7% 34% (1.0 to 57) 79 (47 to 2778) Death Self test 4 (1028) 4.2% 5.1% 18% (-45 to 55) Not significant Self manage 6 (1374) 1.1% 3.0% 62% (15 to 84) 54 (40 to 227) Both 10 (2402) 2.4% 3.9% 38% (1.9 to 61) 68 (42 to 1329) *Abbreviations defined in glossary; weighted event rates, RRR, NNT, and CI calculated from data in article using a fixed effects model.