Anticoagulation Preference by AF Patients Study

AF Patient Preferences Towards NOAC Versus VKA Treatment: a Patient Preference Study

The main research question of this patient survey is to assess AF (Atrial Fibrillation) patients' preferences associated with different attributes which describe the different available anticoagulation treatment options (Vitamin K Antagonists [VKA] or New Oral Anticoagulants [NOACs] and, in case of NOACs, Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban or Rivaroxaban).

VKAs (Marcoumar®, Sintrom ®) will be grouped together and compared to Rivaroxaban.

The objective of this study is to investigate the following research questions in a cross-sectional survey of German-speaking Swiss AF patients being treated either with a VKA or with a NOAC:

• Which attributes of a medication to prevent stroke do AF patients view as important?
• Do AF patients have a preference regarding the attributes of the medication options VKA or NOAC and, in case of NOACs, with regards to rivaroxaban attributes?
• Are there subgroups of AF patients whose preference for one of the medication options appears above or below average?
• What is the quality of life of Swiss German-speaking AF patients? Are there subgroups with differences in their quality of life (for example: subgroups of patients with different CHA2DS2-VASc scores)?
• Which burden do German-speaking Swiss AF patients experience in association with their anticoagulation therapy? Are there differences in the burden of treatment (ACTS) between patients treated with VKA or with NOACs?

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for AF patients in both the NOAC and the VKA groups:

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (persistent, paroxysmal, permanent),
• Age of at least 18 years at time of study inclusion,
• Generally willingness (informed consent) and ability to fill out a survey on satisfaction with treatment and quality of life, and to conduct a structured phone interview (approx. 20 - 30 min) in German language.

Additional inclusion criterion for Group 1 (NOAC):

• Continuous anticoagulation with either Apixaban, or Dabigatran or Rivaroxaban for prevention of Stroke & systemic embolism for at least the previous 3 months.

Additional inclusion criterion for Group 2 (VKA):

• Continuous anticoagulation with a VKA for prevention of Stroke & systemic embolism for at least the previous 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for both groups:

• Participation in another study (clinical intervention / observational) within the 3 months prior to enrollment,
• Interruption of VKA/NOAC therapy of more than 2 weeks (bridging) within the prior 3 months or planned bridging in 4 weeks after study inclusion.