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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been promoted in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (nv-AF) as a more convenient alternative to vitamin K antagonists. We estimated 1-year dabigatran and rivaroxaban adherence rates in nv-AF patients and assessed associations between baseline patient characteristics and nonadherence.Methods
This cohort study included OAC-naive nv-AF patients with no contraindications to OAC, who initiated dabigatran and rivaroxaban, using nationwide data from French national health care databases. One-year adherence was defined by the proportion of days covered of 80% or more over a fixed 1-year period after treatment initiation. Associations between nonadherence and baseline patient characteristics were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models.Results
The population was composed of 11 141 dabigatran (women: 48%; mean age: 74 ± 10.7 y; ≥80 y: 34.9%) and 11 126 rivaroxaban (46.5%; 74 ± 10.9 y; 34.8%) new users. One-year adherence was 53.3% in dabigatran-treated and 59.9% in rivaroxaban-treated patients, consistent with numerous subgroup analyses. A switch to vitamin K antagonist was observed in 14.5% of dabigatran and 11.7% of rivaroxaban patients; 10.2% and 5.9% of patients switched to another DOAC, respectively; and 4.3% of patients died in the 2 cohorts. In patients who did not die or switch during the follow-up, 1-year adherence was 69.6% in dabigatran-treated and 72.3% in rivaroxaban-treated patients. Having concomitant ischemic heart diseases was associated with an increased risk of nonadherence in the 2 cohorts.Conclusion
In this real-life study, 1-year adherence to DOAC is poor in nv-AF new users. Despite the introduction of DOAC, adherence to OACs may remain a significant challenge in AF patients.
SUBMITTER: Maura G
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5697683 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Maura Géric G Pariente Antoine A Alla François F Billionnet Cécile C
Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety 20170728 11
<h4>Purpose</h4>Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been promoted in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (nv-AF) as a more convenient alternative to vitamin K antagonists. We estimated 1-year dabigatran and rivaroxaban adherence rates in nv-AF patients and assessed associations between baseline patient characteristics and nonadherence.<h4>Methods</h4>This cohort study included OAC-naive nv-AF patients with no contraindications to OAC, who initiated dabigatran and rivaroxaban, using ...[more]