A descriptive study of antithrombotic medication patterns in adult patients with recent venous thromboembolism

Pharmacy Practice

  • Fady Allahwerdy1Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
  • Steven Pan1Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
  • Michael Feehan2Kantar LLC, San Francisco, CA, United States.
  • Aubrey E. Jones3Thrombosis Service, University of Utah Health; & Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
  • Mark A. Munger4Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy; & Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
  • Daniel M. Witt3Thrombosis Service, University of Utah Health; & Department of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.

Volume 17 Issue 3 Pages 1-5

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2019.3.1539

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the most common self-reported antithrombotic therapy utilization patterns in a national cohort of patients with recent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: Extant data from a national online survey administered to 907 patients 18 years of age or older with VTE in the last two years were analyzed. Patients' self-reported antithrombotic usage patterns used during three phases of treatment for the most recent VTE episode were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: The following overall antithrombotic usage patterns were identified: warfarin (38.7%), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (26.1%), switching between warfarin and DOACs (13.3%), aspirin only (8.7%), switching between different DOACs (4.5%), injectable anticoagulants only (3.9%), and no treatment (4.7%). Extended antithrombotic therapy beyond 90 days was reported by 65.7% of patients. Aspirin coadministration with anticoagulant therapy occurred for 33.7%. Conclusions: In this national sample of recent VTE sufferers warfarin therapy remains the most used anticoagulant followed closely by DOAC therapy. Switching between warfarin and DOACs and between different DOACs was common which could indicate adverse events or affordability issues. Aspirin coadministration with anticoagulant therapy was present in 1 of 3 patients and is a potential medication safety intervention for anticoagulation providers.

Keywords

  • Anticoagulants
  • Thrombolytic Therapy
  • Venous Thromboembolism
  • Drug Utilization
  • Practice Patterns
  • Physicians'
  • Cohort Studies
  • Utah
Pharmacy Practice

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