Dietrich F, Polymeris AA, Albert V, Engelter ST, Hersberger KE, Schaedelin S, Lyrer PA, Arnet I. Intake reminders are effective in enhancing adherence to direct oral anticoagulants in stroke patients: a randomised cross-over trial (MAAESTRO study).
J Neurol 2024;
271:841-851. [PMID:
37831125 PMCID:
PMC10827905 DOI:
10.1007/s00415-023-12035-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) effectively prevent recurrent ischaemic events in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with recent stroke. However, excellent adherence to DOAC is mandatory to guarantee sufficient anticoagulation as the effect quickly subsides.
AIM
To investigate the effect of intake reminders on adherence to DOAC.
METHODS
MAAESTRO was a randomised, cross-over study in DOAC-treated AF patients hospitalised for ischaemic stroke. Adherence was measured by electronic monitoring for 12 months. After an observational phase, patients were randomised to obtain an intake reminder either in the first or the second half of the subsequent 6-month interventional phase. The primary outcome was 100%-timing adherence. Secondary outcomes were 100%-taking adherence, and overall timing and taking adherence. We analysed adherence outcomes using McNemar's test or mixed-effects logistic models.
RESULTS
Between January 2018 and March 2022, 130 stroke patients were included, of whom 42 dropped out before randomisation. Analysis was performed with 84 patients (mean age: 76.5 years, 39.3% women). A 100%-timing adherence was observed in 10 patients who were using the reminder, and in zero patients without reminder (p = 0.002). The reminder significantly improved adherence to DOAC, with study participants having 2.7-fold increased odds to achieve an alternative threshold of 90%-timing adherence (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.05-6.69; p = 0.039). A similar effect was observed for 90%-taking adherence (OR 3.06; 95% CI 1.20-7.80; p = 0.019). Overall timing and taking adherence increased significantly when using the reminder (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.55-1.86, p < 0.01; and OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.52-1.84; p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
Intake reminders increased adherence to DOAC in patients with stroke attributable to atrial fibrillation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03344146.
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