Background
Warfarin is a commonly used drug that prevents hypercoagulation. However, there is a high rate of adverse effects for patients on Warfarin since it has a narrow therapeutic window and each person’s dose is individually determined. Individual variability is due, in part to differences in the genetics of each individual as well as differences in body size, medications, and medical conditions. Marshfield Clinical Research Foundation has previously developed a model that explains about 56% of the dose variability in Caucasians. In a small pilot clinical study of prospective Warfarin dosing, using the model was better than the standard of care. Since there are currently no models available for African American individuals there is a need to develop appropriate dosing guidelines.
Goals
- Assess the feasibility of conducting a larger Warfarin dosing study
- Determine if a dosing calculator can be created for the African American populations
- Study how dosage affects research subjects and the adverse events they experience
- Genotype DNA to examine its effects on how Warfarin acts in different individuals
Timeline
December 2006 – December 2007
Population Served
This pilot project will be implemented locally in 2 Aurora Health Care Centers for a total population of approximately 60 African American individuals.
Study Sponsor
The Wisconsin Network for Health Research (WiNHR) is sponsoring the study. WiNHR is a network of researchers interested in improving the health of Wisconsin through research.
Partners
- Center for Urban Population Health/Aurora Health Care
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
- Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation
- Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation
Local Investigators & Staff
Aurora Health Care
- Matthew Tector, Ph.D.
Aurora UW Medical Group
- Dennis Baumgardner, M.D.
Center for Urban Population Health
- Jennifer Evertsen, M.S.
- Melissa Lemke, B.A.
