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Trends in oral anticoagulant use in Qatar: a 5-year experience

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Abstract

In Qatar, dabigatran was introduced in 2011 followed by rivaroxaban in 2014. In this study, we aim to explore the trends in oral anticoagulant use in Qatar over the past 5 years and to what extent did DOACs replace warfarin. We also explored the extent of switching between different anticoagulants (from warfarin to DOACs and vice versa). We collected all anticoagulant prescriptions dispensed as in- or out-patient from 2011 to 2015 in all Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) hospitals. Overall number of patients using warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban over the last 5 years collectively was calculated. Per each calendar year, we calculated the number of all 3 OAC used (warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban), frequency of use of each one of the OAC prescribed and compared the change in proportion of DOACs to warfarin prescriptions over the years. Overall, 6961 patients were using OAC over the past 5 years among which 5849 (84%) used warfarin, 496 (7.1%) used dabigatran and 616 (8.8%) used rivaroxaban. Oral anticoagulants use increased gradually from 2091 in 2011 to 3688 in 2015. Number of patients receiving DOACs increased significantly compared to warfarin [11 (0.5%) in 2011 vs. 849 (23%) in 2015 (p < 0.0001)]. Since its introduction in 2014, number of rivaroxaban users increased significantly compared to dabigatran [212 (40.9%) in 2014 vs. 544 (64.1%) in 2015]. DOACs have been gradually replacing warfarin in Qatar and the trend of their use is similar to that reported in other countries. Warfarin remains the most commonly used oral anticoagulant.

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Acknowledgements

This report was made possible by Qatar University internal Grant # (QUST-CPH-FALL-15/16 − 3). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Funding

This study was funded by Qatar University internal Grant # (QUST-CPH-FALL-15/16-3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

    Hazem Elewa, Amani Alhaddad & Safa Al-Rawi

  2. Pharmacy Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR), Doha, Qatar

    Amir Nounou

  3. Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar

    Hesham Mahmoud

  4. Cardiology Research Center, Heart Hospital, HMC, Doha, Qatar

    Rajvir Singh

Authors
  1. Hazem Elewa
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  2. Amani Alhaddad
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  5. Hesham Mahmoud
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Correspondence to Hazem Elewa.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Elewa, H., Alhaddad, A., Al-Rawi, S. et al. Trends in oral anticoagulant use in Qatar: a 5-year experience. J Thromb Thrombolysis 43, 411–416 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-017-1474-4

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