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Patient Diversity and Population Health-Related Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated with Warfarin Use in Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis Using Administrative Claims Data

Advances in Therapy volume 35, pages 2069–2080 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

Anticoagulants are effective for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Data on population health-related cardiovascular outcomes by race/ethnicity and gender are not well described. The aim was to assess the impact of patient diversity on associated cardiovascular outcomes related to warfarin anticoagulation in Medicare beneficiaries with AF.

Methods

Medicare administrative claims data for years 2000–2010 were used to calculate AF prevalence and rates of new AF cases. Three 20% sample cohorts of new AF beneficiaries for years 2000, 2005, and 2007 were extracted and analyzed in a longitudinal study design. The impact of warfarin on associated cardiovascular outcomes was measured with respect to race/ethnicity and gender. Measured outcomes included the risk of stroke, mortality and hospitalization after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, CHADS2 score and warfarin.

Results

AF prevalence and warfarin use increased while stroke and mortality rates declined across race/ethnicity and gender from 2000 to 2010. Analyses comparing Whites to non-Whites highlighted several disparities: (1) Blacks were 40% (p < 0.0001) more likely to have a stroke even after adjustment for warfarin; (2) in 2007, Hispanics had a 35% (p < 0.01) higher prevalence of stroke and warfarin did not reduce the risk; and (3) Asians had better outcomes. Warfarin reduced stroke less well in women who had a lower risk of death and hospitalization. Despite a > 70% (p < 0.0001) reduction in mortality for warfarin users, Blacks had a 25% (p < 0.0001) higher mortality risk than Whites.

Conclusions

Differences in population health metrics across race/ethnicity and gender exist in AF. Across all metrics, Blacks had comparatively worse outcomes. Patient diversity should be a focus for future investigations in AF to improve outcomes in the whole population.

Funding

National Minority Quality Forum.

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Acknowledgements

Funding

Article processing charges were paid by the National Minority Quality Forum.

Authorship

All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this article, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given their approval for this version to be published.

Prior Presentation

These data were presented as abstract presentations at the American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Meeting in 2013 as an oral presentation. Data were also presented in poster format at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in the session “Best of the American Heart Association” in 2013.

Disclosures

Gary Puckrein is an employee of the National Minority Quality Forum. Liou Xu is an employee of the National Minority Quality Forum. Michael H. Kim has nothing to disclose.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This article is based on administrative claims data and does not contain any direct contact with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine and CHI Health, Omaha, NE, USA

    Michael H. Kim

  2. National Minority Quality Forum, Washington, DC, USA

    Liou Xu & Gary Puckrein

Authors
  1. Michael H. Kim
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  2. Liou Xu
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  3. Gary Puckrein
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael H. Kim.

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Kim, M.H., Xu, L. & Puckrein, G. Patient Diversity and Population Health-Related Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated with Warfarin Use in Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis Using Administrative Claims Data. Adv Ther 35, 2069–2080 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-018-0782-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-018-0782-1

Keywords

  • Anticoagulation
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Cardiology
  • Disparity
  • Diversity
  • Outcomes
  • Warfarin