Oral anticoagulant underutilization among elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: insights from the United States Medicare database.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) mitigate stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The study aim was to analyze prevalence and predictors of OAC underutilization.

Methods

Newly diagnosed AF patients with a CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥ 2 were identified from the US CMS Database (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2017). Patients were stratified based on having an OAC prescription versus not and the OAC prescription group was stratified by direct OAC (DOACs) versus warfarin. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine predictors of OAC underutilization.

Results

Among 1,204,507 identified AF patients, 617,611 patients (51.3%) were not prescribed an OAC during follow-up (mean: 2.4 years), and 586,896 patients (48.7%) were presc

SUBMITTER: Munir MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10066118 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature