Self-testing and self-management of warfarin anticoagulation therapy in geriatric patients.

ABSTRACT

Although anticoagulation therapy with warfarin is necessary for many patients, the burden of frequent clinic visits for monitoring of therapy can pose a potential problem for some older adults. As self-monitoring of warfarin therapy has grown in popularity, a recent meta-analysis has reviewed data relating to self-testing and self-management of anticoagulation therapy. This same study also analyzed outcomes in the elderly, finding a potential benefit for self-monitoring in this population. This potential benefit, combined with the difficulties many elderly patients have attending clinic visits because of a lack of mobility or unavailability of transportation, makes self-monitoring of warfarin a viable option for carefully selected elderly patients. Pharmacists can play a vital role in educating patients about self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation therapy as well as identifying those elderly patients who are good candidates for its use.