Background
Coumadin is a commonly used drug that prevents blood clotting. However, there is a high rate of side effects for patients on Coumadin. An individual’s ideal Coumadin dose varies based on his or her personal characteristics. Some of this variability may be attributed to an individual’s genetic makeup. Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation has previously developed a dosing model that explains about 56% of the dose variability. The dosing calculator has yet to be implemented in real time. Testing the new methods in real time will help determine the feasibility of using the dosing calculator to administer Coumadin to patients who are newly diagnosed with conditions requiring Coumadin therapy.
Goals
- Learn how to perform genetic testing and determine dosing recommendations before initiation of Coumadin therapy
- Use data collected to further educate physicians with the aim of maximizing participation in further studies of Coumadin dosing
- Learn how to perform genotype analysis in real time
Timeline
February 2007 - January 2009
Population Served
Patients who are newly diagnosed with a condition that requires Coumadin therapy.
Study Sponsors
- 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.
- Third Wave Technologies, a DNA diagnostics company, is partnering with the project to supply the equipment needed to conduct the study.
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.
