Association between subjective risk perception and objective risk estimation in patients with atrial fibrillation: A cross-sectional study

So you can discuss your risk perception vs. your doctors perception of atrial fibrillation risks. Good luck with that. And if your doctor is wrong about the risk coming true then you are the one having the disability, not your doctor.
https://www.mdlinx.com/internal-medicine/medical-news-article/2017/09/28/oral-anticoagulation-oac-risk-perception-risk/7468506/?

BMJ Open | September 28, 2017

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Zweiker D, et al. - This study probed into the connection between subjective risk perception and objective risk estimation in patients with atrial fibrillation. The data shed light on eminent variations between patients’ perceptions and physicians’ analyses of the risks and benefits of oral anticoagulation (OAC). The findings recommended paying extra focus to evidence-based and useful communication strategies, with the intention of ensuring shared decision-making and informed consent.

Methods

• This cross-sectional prevalence trial utilized the convenience sampling and telephone follow-up.
• It was carried out at 8 hospital departments and one general practitioner in Austria.
• Patients’ perception of stroke and bleeding risk was opposed to commonly used risk scoring.
• The enrollment consisted of patients with newly diagnosed AF and indication for anticoagulation.
• The main outcome included the comparison of subjective risk perception with CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores illustrating the probable discrepancies between subjective and objective risk estimation.
• An association was noted between the patients’ judgement of their own knowledge on AF and education with the accuracy of subjective risk appraisal.

Results

• 91 patients (age 73±11 years, 45% female) were enrolled.
• There was no link between the subjective stroke and bleeding risk estimation with risk scores (ρ=0.08 and ρ=0.17).
• Maximum patients (57%) underestimated the individual stroke risk.
• Patients feared stroke more than bleeding (67% vs 10%).
• No association was observed between accurate perception of stroke and bleeding risks and education level.
• A connection, however, was determined between the patients’ judgement of their own knowledge of AF and correct assessment of individual stroke risk (ρ=0.24, p=0.02).
• The patients experienced the following events: death (n=5), stroke (n=2), bleeding (n=1), during follow-up.
• OAC discontinuation rate regradless of the indication was 3%.