Evaluating patient values and preferences for Thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy

• Grant number: 13/05165-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Principal Investigator: Luciane Cruz Lopes
• Grantee: Luciane Cruz Lopes
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Acadêmica. Universidade de Sorocaba (UNISO). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi ; Fernando de Sá Del Fiol ; Joyce Maria Annichino-Bizzacchi ; Silvio Barberato Filho ; Vânia Maris Morelli

Abstract

Venous blood clots (blood clots in the leg veins or in the lung) are an important cause of death and sickness in pregnant women. Women who have had blood clots are at risk of another episode when they become pregnant. Preventative blood thinning medications can reduce this risk. The blood thinner that is safe to take during pregnancy requires daily needles and has small risks of complications. Therefore, we need to take into account patient preferences regarding the risk of recurrent clots versus these drawbacks when deciding who should be prescribed this medicine. There are no data describing decisions women make about taking these preventative blood thinners during pregnancy. We want to improve our understanding of how women perceive the experiences of having a blood clot and of using preventative blood thinners during pregnancy. We will interviews 100 women using different ways of presenting information to determine the risk of clots that women require to be willing to take preventative blood thinners during pregnancy. We will also study the factors that affect their decision. Our results will help experts who write guidelines for doctors and patients about the best way to care for pregnant women with previous venous blood clots. (AU)