“Unreal world” or “real world” data in oral anticoagulant treatment of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Anticoagulation treatment reduces the risk of stroke but increases the risk of bleeding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Antidepressants use is associated with increased risk for stroke and bleeds. Objective To assess the association between antidepressant use in AF patients with oral anticoagulants and bleeding and stroke risk. Methods All AF patients newly prescribed with an oral anticoagulant in the Stockholm Healthcare database (n=2.3 million inhabitants) from July 2011 until 2016 were included and followed for one year or shorter if they stopped claiming oral anticoagulant treatment or had an outcome of interest. Outcomes were severe bleeds and strokes, requiring acute hospital care. During follow-up, patients were considered exposed to antidepressant after claiming a prescription for the duration of the prescription. With a time-varying Cox regression, we assessed the association between antidepressant use and strokes and bleeds, adjusting for confounders (i.e., age, sex, comorbidities, comedication, and year of inclusion). In addition, we performed a propensity score matched analysis to test the robustness of our findings. Results Of the 30,595 patients included after claiming a prescription for a NOAC (n=13,506) or warfarin (n=17,089), 4 303 claimed a prescription for an antidepressant during follow-up. A total of 712 severe bleeds and 551 strokes were recorded in the cohort. Concomitant oral anticoagulant and antidepressant use was associated with increased rates of severe bleeds (4.7 vs 2.7 per 100 person-years) compared to oral anticoagulant treatment without antidepressant use (aHR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12–1.80), but not significantly associated with increased stroke rates (3.5 vs 2.1 per 100 person-years, aHR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.93–1.62). No significant differences were observed between different oral anticoagulant classes (i.e., warfarin or NOAC) or different antidepressant classes (i.e., SSRI, TCA, or other antidepressant). Additional propensity-score matched analyses yielded similar results but showed a significantly increased risk for stroke (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.08–2.02). Incidence rates of strokes and bleeds Conclusion Concomitant use of an oral anticoagulant and an antidepressant, irrespective of type, is associated with an increased bleeding risk. Increased awareness and a critical consideration for the need of an antidepressant is recommended in this population. Acknowledgement/Funding Swedish Heart Lung Foundation

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Atrial Fibrillation Screen, Management, and Guideline‐Recommended Therapy in the Rural Primary Care Setting: A Cross‐Sectional Study and Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of eHealth Tools to Support All Stages of Screening

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.120.017080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (18) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jessica Orchard ◽

Jialin Li ◽

Ben Freedman ◽

Ruth Webster ◽

Glenn Salkeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Incremental Cost ◽

Oral Anticoagulant ◽

Population Based ◽

Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽

Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Cost Effectiveness Ratio ◽

Oral Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Effectiveness Analysis

BACKGROUND Internationally, most atrial fibrillation (AF) management guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for AF in people ≥65 years of age and oral anticoagulant treatment for those at high stroke risk (CHA₂DS₂‐VA≥2). However, gaps remain in screening and treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS General practitioners/nurses at practices in rural Australia (n=8) screened eligible patients (≥65 years of age without AF) using a smartphone ECG during practice visits. eHealth tools included electronic prompts, guideline‐based electronic decision support, and regular data reports. Clinical audit tools extracted de‐identified data. Results were compared with an earlier study in metropolitan practices (n=8) and nonrandomized control practices (n=69). Cost‐effectiveness analysis compared population‐based screening with no screening and included screening, treatment, and hospitalization costs for stroke and serious bleeding events. Patients (n=3103, 34%) were screened (mean age, 75.1±6.8 years; 47% men) and 36 (1.2%) new AF cases were confirmed (mean age, 77.0 years; 64% men; mean CHA₂DS₂‐VA, 3.2). Oral anticoagulant treatment rates for patients with CHA₂DS₂‐VA≥2 were 82% (screen detected) versus 74% (preexisting AF)( P =NS), similar to metropolitan and nonrandomized control practices. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for population‐based screening was AU$16 578 per quality‐adjusted life year gained and AU$84 383 per stroke prevented compared with no screening. National implementation would prevent 147 strokes per year. Increasing the proportion screened to 75% would prevent 177 additional strokes per year. CONCLUSIONS An AF screening program in rural practices, supported by eHealth tools, screened 34% of eligible patients and was cost‐effective. Oral anticoagulant treatment rates were relatively high at baseline, trending upward during the study. Increasing the proportion screened would prevent many more strokes with minimal incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio change. eHealth tools, including data reports, may be a valuable addition to future programs. REGISTRATION URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au . Unique identifier: ACTRN12618000004268.

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Stepwise mass screening for atrial fibrillation using N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide: the STROKESTOP II study

EP Europace ◽

10.1093/europace/euz255 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 24-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Katrin Kemp Gudmundsdottir ◽

Tove Fredriksson ◽

Emma Svennberg ◽

Faris Al-Khalili ◽

Leif Friberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

High Risk ◽

Natriuretic Peptide ◽

Oral Anticoagulant ◽

Risk Group ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Low Risk ◽

Screening Procedure ◽

Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Oral Anticoagulant Treatment

Abstract Aims To study the prevalence of unknown atrial fibrillation (AF) in a high-risk, 75/76-year-old, population using N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and handheld electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in a stepwise screening procedure. Methods and results The STROKESTOP II study is a population-based cohort study in which all 75/76-year-old in the Stockholm region (n = 28 712) were randomized 1:1 to be invited to an AF screening programme or to serve as the control group. Participants without known AF had NT-proBNP analysed and were stratified into low-risk (NT-proBNP <125 ng/L) and high-risk (NT-proBNP ≥125 ng/L) groups. The high-risk group was offered extended ECG-screening, whereas the low-risk group performed only one single-lead ECG recording. In total, 6868 individuals accepted the screening invitation of which 6315 (91.9%) did not have previously known AF. New AF was detected in 2.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–3.0] of all participants without previous AF. In the high-risk group (n = 3766/6315, 59.6%), AF was diagnosed in 4.4% (95% CI 3.7–5.1) of the participants. Out of these, 18% had AF on their index-ECG. In the low-risk group, one participant was diagnosed with AF on index-ECG. The screening procedure resulted in an increase in known prevalence from 8.1% to 10.5% among participants. Oral anticoagulant treatment was initiated in 94.5% of the participants with newly diagnosed AF. Conclusion N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide-stratified systematic screening for AF identified 4.4% of the high-risk participants with new AF. Oral anticoagulant treatment initiation was well accepted in the group diagnosed with new AF.

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Régi és új orális antikoagulánsok hazai alkalmazása pitvarfibrillációban

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/650.2017.30802 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 158 (39) ◽

pp. 1545-1549

Author(s):

János Tomcsányi ◽

Balázs Salfer ◽

Bence Nagy

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Vitamin K ◽

Oral Anticoagulant ◽

Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽

Real Life ◽

Vitamin K Antagonist ◽

Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Oral Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

New Oral Anticoagulant ◽

Method Analysis

Abstract: Introduction: Despite a progress in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation this arrhythmia is one of the major causes of stroke, heart failure, sudden death and cardiovascular morbidity. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonist or non-vitamin K antagonist markedly reduces stroke and mortality in atrial fibrillation patients. Aim: To estimate the real-life vitamin K antagonist and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment in past years in Hungary. Method: Analysis of the National Health Insurance Administation database for atrial fibrillation (BNO: I48) between 2010–2015. We assumed that AF patient would turn to health care provides at least once either as inpatients or outpatients in a 5-year period. The patient was accepted as adherent after 6 months therapy and at least 80% oral anticoagulant prescription. Results: The prevalence of AF in Hungary is 3%. The mortality rate of AF 7%–10% per year. The adherence of the old oral anticoagulant treatment was 55%, but it was 69% among patient treated by “new” oral anticoagulant treatment. However, one third of the patients are not treated by effective old or new oral anticoagulant treatment. Conclusions: We need more effort to improve the effective and high adherence oral anticoagulant therapy in our country. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(39): 1545–1549.

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