Age >65 years, diabetes, and taking >3 medications (24.4% vs 4.3%/100 patient-years) significantly increased complication rates in atrial fibrillation patients on oral anticoagulation.
Does the presence of risk factors (age >65, diabetes, polypharmacy) increase the complication rate in outpatients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation?
In outpatients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation, age >65 years, diabetes, and polypharmacy are significant risk factors for serious complications, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to assess in outpatients with atrial fibrillation and oral anticoagulation (1) whether the complication rate is influenced by the presence of the risk factors age >65 years, arterial hypertension, diabetes, or previous stroke; (2) whether the complication rate is influenced by the number of additional drugs taken by patients; and (3) whether problems and interventions differ between patients with or without complications. METHODS: - Clinical characteristics, drugs, problems, interventions, and complications were registered during 2 years. RESULTS: - Three hundred sixty patients (mean age, 68 years; 43% female) were observed for 383 patient-years. Patients aged >65 years had more serious, life-threatening, or fatal complications (11% versus 5.3%/100 patient-years; P=0.0428) than younger patients. Patients with diabetes had more life-threatening and fatal complications (2.8% versus 0.6%/100 patient-years; P=0.0354) than patients without. The complication rate did not differ regarding the presence of previous stroke or hypertension. Patients who took 3 drugs per day have an increased complication rate and thus need especially careful monitoring of oral anticoagulation, including adequate pain control.
Wehinger et al. (Mon,) reported a other. Age >65 years, diabetes, and taking >3 medications (24.4% vs 4.3%/100 patient-years) significantly increased complication rates in atrial fibrillation patients on oral anticoagulation.