[Effectiveness of the EQ-5D and CRES-4 questionnaire for assessing the impact on the quality of life of patients and the level of satisfaction after exchanging dicumarinics for edoxabán: Real-life experience based on a multicentre study]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation decrease the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life and the degree of satisfaction after changing from VKA to edoxaban anticoagulants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prospective, multicentre study, including 105 patients in dicumarinic anticoagulant treatment replaced by edoxaban. Their quality of life was evaluated before and after using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and the degree of satisfaction with CRES-4 scale.

RESULTS

Average 75 years, CHA2DS2VASC3,5 and HASBLED2,1; thromboembolic events and clinically relevant bleeding during follow-up <1%. EQ-5D showed a significant overall improvement in the mobility and anxiety parameters (P=.023, 95%CI: .0175-.23; P=.019, 95%CI:=.028-.31). The CRES-4 questionnaire showed satisfaction with the therapist of 95%, a positive impact on life of 73% and a negative impact of 3.8%. The emotional state attributed to the change in treatment improved (41% vs 69.5%, P=.0001). The final score of the CRES-4 weakly correlated with the emotional situation of the EQ-5D questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

The change of anticoagulant for edoxaban improves the quality of life and the degree of patient satisfaction, and the EQ-5D and CRES-4 quality of life questionnaires can be used complementarily.

Gender differences in antithrombotic treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation from Spain versus the rest of Western Europe. GLORIA-AF Program

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Thromboembolic risk is higher in women than men with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Published data indicate variability in antithrombotic use by gender and region. We analyzed gender-specific antithrombotic treatment patterns in Spain and rest of Western Europe (rWE) in patients with NVAF.

METHODS

GLORIA-AF (Phase III) is a global, prospective, observational study which enrolled newly diagnosed NVAF patients with CHA₂DS₂-VAScs≥1 (2014-2016). Analyses were performed comparing antithrombotic treatments by gender in Spain and rWE.

RESULTS

This analysis included 1163 and 7972 patients from Spain and rWE, respectively. Stroke risk was higher in women than men in both Spain and rWE. While in rWE, bleeding risk and antithrombotic treatment pattern were similar between genders, in Spain bleeding risk in women was lower and more females compared to men received OACs (95.0% versus 92.4%, d=-0.1078, respectively). Fewer Spanish patients received direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) (women 32.1%, men 25.3%) than vitamin-K-antagonists (VKAs) (women 63.0%, men 67.1%) vs. rWE patients. In Spain women received more DOACs compared to men (56.0% versus 44.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

OAC rates were higher in Spain as compared to rWE. More women received OACs in Spain, while in rWE no difference by gender was observed. DOACs in rWE are the most prescribed OAC while in Spain, due to prescription barriers, its use remains low for both genders and VKAs are preferred. Spanish women received more DOACs compared to men. (NCT01468701).

Prevalence and Prognostic Implications of Valve Disease in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Initiating Direct Oral Anticoagulants

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Valvular heart disease in patients with atrial fibrillation included in clinical trials with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is common and is associated with worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of valvular heart disease and its influence on clinical events in real-world clinical practice.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicenter registry including 2297 consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation initiating DOAC between January 2013 and December 2016. Valvular heart disease was defined as moderate or severe involvement. The primary study endopoint was the composite of death, stroke or transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism or major bleeding. A competing risks analysis was carried out using a Fine and Gray regression model, with death being the competing event.

RESULTS

A total of 499 (21.7%) patients had significant valvular heart disease. The most common form was mitral regurgitation (13.7%). Patients with valvular heart disease were older and had more comorbidities. After multivariable analysis, valvular heart disease was associated with a higher risk for the primary endpoint (HR, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.22-1.94; P<.001), death (HR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.09-1.91, P=.010), and major bleeding (HR, 1.85; 95%CI, 1.23-2.79, P=.003), but there was no association with thromboembolic events (P >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation initiating DOACs, valvular heart disease is common and increases the risk of mortality, stroke, transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, and major bleeding complications. These findings confirm the results of clinical trials and expand them to a real-life clinical setting.