WARFARIN-VITAMIN K DRUG-NUTRIENT INTERACTION KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS PART ONE

Abstract

Fluctuations in dietary vitamin K are an important source of variance, and the need for constancy in vitamin K intake is routinely emphasized for warfarin-treated patients. Dietary vitamin K can interact with oral anticoagulant drug and interfere with their therapeutic safety and efficacy. Health care provider's knowledge is important to improve patient's compliance. Methodology: Health care practitioner's knowledge was assessed using a 30 question, 98 item questionnaire on warfarin interactions with general drugs and nutrients involving vitamin K. The study sample included 90 health care providers (30 physicians, 30 pharmacists and 30 nurses) from Ain Shams University Hospitals practicing anticoagulant therapy who council patients receiving warfarin. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of health care team regarding this subject. There was no significant difference between the three different categories regarding their specialists. Conclusion: there was an obvious lack of knowledge of health care team regarding warfarin vitamin K, drug –nutrient interaction