| 1. |
- Carlsson, Axel C., et al.
(author)
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Differences and time trends in drug treatment of atrial fibrillation in men and women and doctors' adherence to warfarin therapy recommendations
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041. ; 69:2, s. 245-253
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Little is known about prescription trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) in primary health care in Sweden. The aim was to study time trends in pharmacotherapy, in men and women with AF. We also aimed at studying doctors' adherence to CHADS2 for prescribing warfarin. CHADS2 assesses stroke risk by presence of known risk factors, i.e., congestive heart failure, hypertension, age > 75 years, diabetes, previous stroke and transient ischemic attack. Data were obtained from primary health care records that contained individual clinical data. In total, 371,036 patients were included in the sample from 2002, and 424,329 patients were included in the sample from 2007. The study population consisted of individuals aged 45+ years who were diagnosed with AF in 2002 (1,330 men and 1,096 women) and 2007 (2,748 men and 2,234 women). The pharmacotherapies prescribed in 2002 and 2007 were analyzed separately in men and women. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between the CHADS2 score and prescribed warfarin treatment. Selective beta-blockers, anti-coagulant therapy and lipid-lowering drugs were prescribed more frequently in 2007 than in 2002. In 2007, antithrombotic and RAS-blocking agents were prescribed more frequently to men, whereas beta-1 selective beta-blockers were prescribed more frequently to women. There was no consistent association between the CHADS2 score and prescribed warfarin treatment. Pharmacotherapy of AF has improved over time, though CHADS2 guidelines need to be implemented systematically in primary health care in Sweden to decrease the risk of stroke and improve quality of life in patients with AF.
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| 2. |
- Carlsson, Axel C., et al.
(author)
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Effects of prescribed antihypertensives and other cardiovascular drugs on mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation and hypertension : a cohort study from Sweden
- 2014
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In: Hypertension Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0916-9636 .- 1348-4214. ; 37:6, s. 553-559
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although antihypertensive drugs are known to reduce mortality in individuals with hypertension, the effects of different cardiovascular pharmacotherapies on mortality among patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF) have been less thoroughly explored. To study mortality rates in men and women separately with hypertension and AF prescribed different cardiovascular pharmacotherapies. A cohort of men (n = 2809) and women (n = 2793) aged > 45 years diagnosed with hypertension and AF were selected using patient records. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox regression, with all-cause mortality as the outcome. Analysis was performed on the whole population and after stratification by age and sex. Independent factors were prescribed pharmacotherapies. Adjustments were made for a propensity score comprising age, comorbidities, education and marital status. The higher the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed, the lower the mortality rate (P-value for trend 0.005). Individuals prescribed 4-5 antihypertensive drugs had a lower risk of mortality than those prescribed 0-1 drugs (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.45-0.86). The HRs for the following drug classes were: loop diuretics 1.39 (95% CI: 1.08-1.78), non-selective beta-blockers 0.68 (95% CI: 0.53-0.88), angiotensin receptor blockers 0.75 (95% CI: 0.56-0.99) and statins 0.68 (95% CI: 0.53-0.88). AF patients with hypertension prescribed statins, non-selective b-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers had low relative mortality risks, suggesting that these prescribed pharmacotherapies were beneficial. This needs to be further explored in other clinical settings.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Wandell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Effect of cardiovascular drug classes on all-cause mortality among atrial fibrillation patients treated in primary care in Sweden: a cohort study
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1041 .- 0031-6970. ; 69:2, s. 279-287
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Risk factors for stroke are well known in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, while less is known on the effect of these factors on total mortality. Our aim was to study the impact of cardiovascular drug classes on mortality in AF patients treated in primary care. The study population was chosen based on patient data from 75 primary care centres in Sweden compiled in a database. Individuals diagnosed with AF who were older than 45 years were enrolled (n = 12,302, of whom 6,660 were men). Cox regression analysis with mortality (years to death) as outcome was conducted in the men and women separately, as well in the age categories < 80 and a parts per thousand yen80 years, with cardiovascular drugs as independent factors, and age, cardiovascular diagnoses and educational level as covariates. Lower mortality was shown for anticoagulant treatment among men, both younger (< 80 years) [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.43, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.61] and older (a parts per thousand yen80 years) (adjusted HR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.32-0.69), and among younger women (adjusted HR 0.46, 95 % CI 0.29-0.74), and for antiplatelet treatment in older men (adjusted HR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.35-0.74). Treatment with thiazides was associated with lower mortality among younger men (adjusted HR 0.68, 95 % CI 0.48-0.96), older men (adjusted HR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.46-0.98) and older women (adjusted HR 0.70, 95 % CI 0.52-0.94). Statins were associated with lower mortality among younger patients, in both men (adjusted HR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.32-0.68) and women (adjusted HR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.35-0.82). The differences in age and gender patterns need further exploration.
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| 5. |
- Wandell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Effect of cardiovascular drugs on mortality in atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure
- 2014
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In: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 48:5, s. 291-298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. To study mortality rates among men and women with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant chronic heart failure (CHF) prescribed different classes of cardiovascular drugs in primary health care. Design. A cohort of men (n = 1159) and women (n = 1155) aged 45 years or above and diagnosed with both AF and CHF from patient records from 75 primary care centers in Sweden were included in the study. Regression models with mortality as the outcome were used, with adjustment for a propensity score comprising age, cardiovascular co-morbidities, education, marital status, and pharmacotherapy. We analysed using Cox regression with hazard ratio (HR), and Laplace regression with years until 10% of the patients had died, with 95% confi dence intervals (95% CI). Independent variables were prescribed cardiovascular drugs. Results. Individuals prescribed anticoagulants versus no treatment gained 1.95 years (95% CI 0.47-3.43), anticoagulants versus antiplatelets 1.26 years (95% CI 0.42-2.10), calcium channel blockers 1.17 years (95% CI 0.21-2.14), and statins 1.49 years (95% CI 0.39-2.59). Among patients 80 years or above no significant effect by anticoagulants was seen, HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.43-1.23). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that life may be prolonged in patients with AF and concomitant CHF in primary care prescribed anticoagulants, calcium channel blockers, and statins.
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| 6. |
- Wändell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Association between antithrombotic treatment and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation—a cohort study in primary care
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-6970 .- 1432-1041. ; 73:2, s. 215-221
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The objective of this study was to study the association between antithrombotic treatment and risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated in primary health care. Methods: Study population included all adults (n = 12,215) 45 years and older diagnosed with AF at 75 primary care centers in Sweden 2001–2007. Outcome was defined as a first hospital episode with a discharge episode of HS after the AF diagnosis. Association between HS and persistent treatment with antithrombotic agents (warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), clopidogrel) was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % CIs. Adjustment was made for age, socioeconomic status, and co-morbid cardiovascular conditions. Results: During a mean of 5.8 years (SD 2.4) of follow-up, 162 patients (1.3 %; 67 women and 95 men) with HS were recorded. The adjusted risk associated with persistent warfarin treatment compared to no antithrombotic treatment consistently showed no increased HS risk, HR for women 0.53 (95 % CI 0.23–1.27) and for men 0.55 (95 % CI 0.29–1.04); corresponding HRs for ASA were, for women, 0.45 (95 % CI 0.14–1.44) and, for men, 0.56 (95 % CI 0.24–1.29). Conclusions: In this clinical setting, we found no evidence pointing to an increased risk of HS with antithrombotic treatment.
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| 7. |
- Wändell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Effects of prescribed antithrombotics and other cardiovascular pharmacotherapies on all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes and atrial fibrillation - a cohort study from Sweden using propensity score analyses
- 2014
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In: Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1758-5996. ; 6, s. 2-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsTo study mortality rates among patients with diabetes and concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF), prescribed different cardiovascular drugs in primary health care.MethodsStudy population consisted of men (n = 1319) and women (n = 1094) aged = >= 45 years from a database including 75 primary care centres in Sweden. Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs), 95% confidence interval (95% CIs) and mortality (years to death) as outcome, and Laplace regression, with difference in time to first 10% mortality (with 95% CI), were performed. Independent variables were prescribed cardiovascular drugs. Regression models were adjusted for a propensity score calculated separately for each prescribed drug class (comprising age, cardiovascular co-morbidities, education, marital status and pharmacotherapy).ResultsOverall mortality was lower in the whole sample for anticoagulants vs no treatment (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.26-0.77); and among patients < 80 years for anticoagulants vs. antiplatelets (HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.25-0.78); while among individuals aged >= 80 years, antiplatelets (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.26-0.87) and anticoagulants (HR 0.49; 95% CI 0.24-1.00) vs. no treatment were equally effective. Statins were associated with lower mortality among those < 80 years (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.29-0.71). Laplace regression models in the whole sample, with years to first 10% of total mortality as outcome, were significant for: among patients < 80 years anticoagulants vs. no treatment 2.70 years (95% CI 0.04-5.37), anticoagulants vs. antiplatelets 2.31 years (95% CI 0.84-3.79), and those >= 80 antiplatelets vs. no treatment 1.78 years (95% CI 1.04-2.52).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that antiplatelets could exert a beneficial effect among those above 80 years.
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| 8. |
- Wändell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Warfarin treatment and risk of myocardial infarction — A cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation treated in primary health care
- 2016
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 221, s. 789-793
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To study the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated in primary health care with warfarin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin). Methods The study population included subjects (n = 12,283) 45 years or older diagnosed with AF who were treated in 75 primary care centres in Sweden between 2001 and 2007. MI was defined as a hospital stay for MI during 2001 through 2010 registered in the Swedish Patient Register. Associations between warfarin or ASA treatment and incident MI were explored using Cox regression analysis, by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Adjustment was made for age, socio-economic factors and cardio-vascular co-morbidity. Results Persistent treatment (“per protocol” treatment) with warfarin alone was present among 32.4% of women and 37.4% of men, and with ASA alone among 30.0% of women and 28.1% of men. The fully adjusted HRs for MI, compared to those with no antithrombotic treatment, with warfarin treatment for women were 0.26 (95% CI 0.16–0.41) and for men 0.28 (95% CI 0.20–0.39); and the corresponding HRs for those treated with ASA were for women 0.57 (95% CI 0.37–0.87), and for men 0.44 95% CI (0.31–0.63). The fully adjusted HR for MI when comparing patients with warfarin treatment to those with ASA treatment was for women 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.80), and for men 0.58 (95% CI 0.38–0.89). Conclusions Warfarin seems to prevent MI among AF patients in a primary healthcare setting, which emphasizes the importance of persistent anticoagulant treatment in those patients.
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| 9. |
- Wändell, Per, et al.
(author)
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Warfarin treatment and risk of stroke among primary care patients with atrial fibrillation
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 50:5-6, s. 311-316
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective Our aim was to study the risk of a first ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated in primary health care. Design The study population included all adults (n = 11,517), 45 years and older diagnosed with AF, from 75 primary care centres in Sweden between 2001 and 2007. Ischemic stroke was defined as a hospital care event of stroke between 2001 and 2010. Association between incident stroke and warfarin treatment was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Adjustment was made for age, socioeconomic factors and co-morbidity. Results Persistent treatment with warfarin was present among 34.7% of women and 40.9% among men. Persistent warfarin treatment, compared to no persistent treatment, was associated with a stroke preventing effect with fully adjusted HRs of 0.25 (95% CI 0. 0.26-0.45) in women, and 0.25 (95% CI 0.28-0.43) in men. A CHA2DS2-VASc score of at least two among women, and three among men, was associated with a stroke risk exceeding 18% during a mean follow-up of 5.4 years. Risk of haemorrhagic stroke was not increased. Conclusions Warfarin is effective in preventing stroke in AF patients in primary health care.
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