scholarly journals Adherence to Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-National Comparison in Six European Countries (2008–2015)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sabaté ◽  
X. Vidal ◽  
E. Ballarin ◽  
M. Rottenkolber ◽  
S. Schmiedl ◽  
...  

Aims: To describe and compare the adherence to different direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in eight European databases representing six countries.Methods: Longitudinal drug utilization study of new users (≥18 years) of DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban) with a diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (2008–2015). Adherence was examined by estimating persistence, switching, and discontinuation rates at 12 months. Primary non-adherence was estimated in BIFAP and SIDIAP databases.Results: The highest persistence rate was seen for apixaban in the CPRD database (81%) and the lowest for dabigatran in the Mondriaan database (22%). The switching rate for all DOACs ranged from 2.4 to 13.1% (Mondriaan and EGB databases, respectively). Dabigatran had the highest switching rate from 5.0 to 20.0% (Mondriaan and EGB databases, respectively). The discontinuation rate for all DOACs ranged from 16.0 to 63.9% (CPRD and Bavarian CD databases, respectively). Dabigatran had the highest rate of discontinuers, except in the Bavarian CD and AOK NORDWEST databases, ranging from 23.2 to 64.6% (CPRD and Mondriaan databases, respectively). Combined primary non-adherence for examined DOACs was 11.1% in BIFAP and 14.0% in SIDIAP. There were differences in population coverage and in the type of drug data source among the databases.Conclusion: Despite the differences in the characteristics of the databases and in demographic and baseline characteristics of the included population that could explain some of the observed discrepancies, we can observe a similar pattern throughout the databases. Apixaban was the DOAC with the highest persistence. Dabigatran had the highest proportion of discontinuers and switchers at 12 months in most databases (EMA/2015/27/PH).

Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirin Ardeshirrouhanifard ◽  
Huijun An ◽  
Ravi Goyal ◽  
Mukaila Raji ◽  
Caleb Alexander ◽  
...  

Objective: Despite population-level increases in use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over the last decade, less is known about their use among individuals with cancer and non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We quantified DOAC initiation and switching among such individuals. Methods: We used Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data from 2009 to 2016 and included patients aged ≥66 years diagnosed with cancer (breast, bladder, colorectal, esophagus, lung, ovary, kidney, pancreas, prostate, stomach or uterus). We limited the cohort to continuously enrolled beneficiaries with newly diagnosed NVAF following cancer diagnosis (from 2010 to 2016) who did not have any oral anticoagulant use during the 12-months prior to their NVAF diagnosis. We evaluated the initiation of warfarin or DOACs within 3 months of the incident NVAF diagnosis. Among warfarin users, we determined switching rates to DOACs and among DOACs users, we determined switching rates to warfarin. Descriptive statistics were used for all the analyses. Results: Of 1,028,784 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer, 158,744 (15.4%) were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. After applying all inclusion criteria, the final study cohort included 19,513 cancer patients diagnosed with incident NVAF. Lung (20.2%), Breast (19.2%), prostate (19.2%) and colorectal (16.0%) cancer accounted for over three-fourths of the cohort. Overall, 7,604 patients (39%) initiated oral anticoagulants. Among these patients, 4,223/7,604 (55.5%) and 3,381/7,604 (44.5%) initiated DOACs and warfarin, respectively. Patients who initiated DOACs had lower Charlson comorbidity score (1.0 ± 1.4 vs. 1.3 ± 1.5) and CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score (4.4 ± 1.7 vs. 4.8 ± 1.7) compared to warfarin users. Initiation of DOACs varied by cancer type; for example, 13.6% (55/405) of patients with stomach cancer initiated DOACs, whereas 29.8% (1120/3755) of patients with prostate cancer initiated DOACs. Among patients who initiated any oral anticoagulants, the use of DOACs increased from 22% (110/501) in 2011 to 75.3% (1335/1772) in 2016, whereas warfarin use declined from 78% (391/501) to 24.7% (437/1772). The switching rate among warfarin initiators to DOACs (623/3381, 18.4%) was higher than the switching rate among DOACs initiators to warfarin (281/4223, 6.7%). Conclusion: Among cancer patients with newly diagnosed NVAF, the use of DOACs has markedly increased from 2011 to 2016, with a corresponding decline in the use of warfarin. Moreover, cancer patients are more likely to switch from warfarin to DOACs. Our findings highlight the dynamic life cycle of these products and the value of real-world assessments of their comparative safety and effectiveness among Medicare beneficiaries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2924
Author(s):  
Domenico Acanfora ◽  
Marco Matteo Ciccone ◽  
Valentina Carlomagno ◽  
Pietro Scicchitano ◽  
Chiara Acanfora ◽  
...  

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents an independent risk factor for chronic AF and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with and without diabetes mellitus (DM), using a new risk index (RI) defined as: RI =Rate of EventsRate of Patients at Risk. In particular, an RI lower than 1 suggests a favorable treatment effect. We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The risk index (RI) was calculated in terms of efficacy (rate of stroke/systemic embolism (stroke SEE)/rate of patients with and without DM; rate of cardiovascular death/rate of patients with and without DM) and safety (rate of major bleeding/rate of patients with and without DM) outcomes. AF patients with DM (n = 22,057) and 49,596 without DM were considered from pivotal trials. DM doubles the risk index for stroke/SEE, major bleeding (MB), and cardiovascular (CV) death. The RI for stroke/SEE, MB, and CV death was comparable in patients treated with warfarin or DOACs. The lowest RI was in DM patients treated with Rivaroxaban (stroke/SEE, RI = 0.08; CV death, RI = 0.13). The RIs for bleeding were higher in DM patients treated with Dabigatran (RI110 = 0.32; RI150 = 0.40). Our study is the first to use RI to homogenize the efficacy and safety data reported in the DOACs pivotal studies against warfarin in patients with and without DM. Anticoagulation therapy is effective and safe in DM patients. DOACs appear to have a better efficacy and safety profile than warfarin. The use of DOACs is a reasonable alternative to vitamin-K antagonists in AF patients with DM. The RI can be a reasonable tool to help clinicians choose between DOACs or warfarin in the peculiar set of AF patients with DM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chikako Ishii ◽  
Miki Komatsu ◽  
Kota Suda ◽  
Masahiko Takahata ◽  
Satoko Matsumoto Harmon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are commonly observed in elderly people and can be treated by conservatively with minimal risk of complications in most cases. However, utilization of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) increases the risks of secondary hematoma even after insignificant trauma. The use of DOACs increased over the past decade because of their approval and recommendation for both stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism. It is well known that DOACs are safer anticoagulants than warfarin in terms of major and nonmajor bleeding; however, we noted an increase in the number of bleeding events associated with DOACs that required medical intervention. This report describes the first case of delayed lumbar plexus palsy due to DOAC-associated psoas hematoma after VCF to draw attention to potential risk of severe complication associated with this type of common and stable trauma. Case presentation An 83-year-old man presented with his left inguinal pain and inability to ambulate after falling from standing position and was prescribed DOACs for chronic atrial fibrillation. Computed tomography angiography revealed a giant psoas hematoma arising from the ruptured segmental artery running around fractured L4 vertebra. Because of motor weakness of his lower limbs and expansion of psoas hematoma revealed by contrast computed tomography on day 8 of his hospital stay, angiography aimed for transcatheter arterial embolization was tried, but could not demonstrate any major active extravasation; therefore spontaneous hemostasis was expected with heparin replacement. On day 23 of his stay, hematoma turned to decrease, but dysarthria and motor weakness due to left side cerebral infarction occurred. His pain improved and bone healing was achieved about 2 months later from his admission, however the paralysis of the left lower limb and aftereffects of cerebral infarction remained after 1 year. Conclusion In patients using DOACs with multiple risk factors, close attention must be taken in vertebral injury even if the fracture itself is a stable-type such as VCF, because segmental artery injury may cause massive psoas hematoma followed by lumbar plexus palsy and other complications.


Author(s):  
Alexandros Briasoulis ◽  
Amgad Mentias ◽  
Alexander Mazur ◽  
Paulino Alvarez ◽  
Enrique C. Leira ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Bruria Hirsh Raccah, PharmD, PhD ◽  
Yevgeni Erlichman ◽  
Arthur Pollak ◽  
Ilan Matok ◽  
Mordechai Muszkat

Introduction: Anticoagulants are associated with significant harm when used in error, but there are limited data on potential harm of inappropriate treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We conducted a matched case-control study among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients admitting the hospital with a chronic treatment with DOACs, in order to assess factors associated with the risk of major bleeding. Methods: Patient data were documented using hospital’s computerized provider order entry system. Patients identified with major bleeding were defined as cases and were matched with controls based on the duration of treatment with DOACs and number of chronic medications. Appropriateness of prescribing was assessed based on the relevant clinical guidelines. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the potential impact of safety-relevant prescribing errors with DOACs on major bleeding. Results: A total number of 509 eligible admissions were detected during the study period, including 64 cases of major bleeding and 445 controls. The prevalence of prescribing errors with DOACs was 33%. Most prevalent prescribing errors with DOACs were “drug dose too low” (16%) and “non-recommended combination of drugs” (11%). Safety-relevant prescribing errors with DOACs were associated with major bleeding [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-4.12]. Conclusion: Prescribers should be aware of the potential negative impact of prescribing errors with DOACs and understand the importance of proper prescribing and regular follow-up.


TH Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. e417-e426
Author(s):  
Carline J. van den Dries ◽  
Sander van Doorn ◽  
Patrick Souverein ◽  
Romin Pajouheshnia ◽  
Karel G.M. Moons ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The benefit of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) on major bleeding was less prominent among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with polypharmacy in post-hoc randomized controlled trials analyses. Whether this phenomenon also exists in routine care is unknown. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the number of concomitant drugs prescribed modifies safety and effectiveness of DOACs compared with VKAs in AF patients treated in general practice. Study Design Adult, nonvalvular AF patients with a first DOAC or VKA prescription between January 2010 and July 2018 were included, using data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Primary outcome was major bleeding, secondary outcomes included types of major bleeding, nonmajor bleeding, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. Effect modification was assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression, stratified for the number of concomitant drugs into three strata (0–5, 6–8, ≥9 drugs), and by including the continuous variable in an interaction term with the exposure (DOAC vs. VKA). Results A total of 63,600 patients with 146,059 person-years of follow-up were analyzed (39,840 person-years of DOAC follow-up). The median age was 76 years in both groups, the median number of concomitant drugs prescribed was 7. Overall, the hazard of major bleeding was similar between VKA-users and DOAC-users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.11), though for apixaban a reduction in major bleeding was observed (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.68–0.98). Risk of stroke was comparable, while risk of nonmajor bleeding was lower in DOAC users compared with VKA users (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88–0.97). We did not observe any evidence for an impact of polypharmacy on the relative risk of major bleeding between VKA and DOAC across our predefined three strata of concomitant drug use (p-value for interaction = 0.65). For mortality, however, risk of mortality was highest among DOAC users, increasing with polypharmacy and independent of the type of DOAC prescribed (p-value for interaction <0.01). Conclusion In this large observational, population-wide study of AF patients, risk of bleeding, and ischemic stroke were comparable between DOACs and VKAs, irrespective of the number of concomitant drugs prescribed. In AF patients with increasing polypharmacy, our data appeared to suggest an unexplained yet increased risk of mortality in DOAC-treated patients, compared with VKA recipients.


Author(s):  
Luise Adam ◽  
Martin Feller ◽  
Lamprini Syrogiannouli ◽  
Cinzia Del‐Giovane ◽  
Jacques Donzé ◽  
...  

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