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Time trends and treatment pathways in the prescribing of individual oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: an observational study of more than three million patients from Europe and the United States
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  • Pareen Vora,
  • Henry Morgan Stewart,
  • Beth Russell,
  • Alex Asiimwe,
  • Gunnar Brobert
Pareen Vora
Bayer AG

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Henry Morgan Stewart
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Beth Russell
Bayer AG
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Alex Asiimwe
Bayer AG
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Gunnar Brobert
Bayer Sweden AB
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Abstract

Background: Data directly comparing trends in the use of different oral anticoagulants (OACs) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from different countries are limited. We addressed this using a large-scale network cohort study in the United States (US), Belgium, France, Germany and United Kingdom (UK). Methods: We used nine databases (claims or electronic health records) that had been converted into the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model with analysis performed using open-source analytical tools. We identified adults with AF and a first OAC prescription, either vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) from 2010–2017. We described time-trends in use, continuation and switching. Results: In 2010, 87.5%–99.8% of patients started on a VKA. By 2017, the majority started on a DOAC: 87.0% (US), 88.3% (Belgium), 93.1% (France), 88.4% (Germany), 86.1%–86.7% (UK). In the UK, DOACs became the most common starting OAC in 2015, 2–3 years later than elsewhere. Apixaban was the most common starting OAC by 2017: 50.2%–57.8% (US), 31.4% (Belgium), 45.9% (France), 39.5% (Germany), 49.8%– 50.5% (UK), followed by rivaroxaban; 24.8%–32.5% (US), 25.7% (Belgium), 38.4% (France), 24.9% (Germany), 30.2%– 31.2% (UK). Long-term treatment was less common in the US than in Europe, especially the UK. A minority of patients switched from their index OAC, both in the short- and long-term. Conclusions: From 2010–2017, VKA use had significantly declined and DOAC use had significantly increased in the US and Europe; apixaban was the most prescribed OAC in 2017 followed by rivaroxaban.
21 Apr 2021Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
22 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
22 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major