• Dong-Churl Suh, Jiyoon C Choi, Jeff Schein, Suhyun Kim, and Winnie W Nelson.
• Chung-Ang University College of Pharmacy, Seoul, South Korea. dongsuh75@gmail.com
• Curr Med Res Opin. 2013 Jul 1; 29 (7): 761771761-71.

ObjectiveTo determine risk factors for both warfarin discontinuation and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsData from the MarketScan database (January 2005-June 2008) were retrospectively analyzed for patients ≥18 years old who used warfarin continuously (≥2 prescriptions for 6 months) subsequent to an AF diagnosis. Patients were followed until one of the following endpoints occurred: warfarin discontinuation or end of the 30 month study period (whichever happened first). Recent bleeding was defined as occurring within 90 days before discontinuation. Drug interactions related to bleeding were defined as occurring within 120 days prior to bleeding.ResultsThe study included 7971 eligible patients (mean age 67.8 years; 41.2% female). During follow-up, 51.7% of patients discontinued warfarin (P < .001). More patients with recent bleeding (61.8%) discontinued warfarin compared to patients without recent bleeding (51.3%). After adjustment, patients with recent bleeding were 35% more likely to discontinue warfarin compared to those without recent bleeding (relative risk = 1.35; CI: 1.16-1.58). Age >85 years and a history of ≥1 hospitalizations/emergency room visits were associated with an increased likelihood of discontinuation (P < .001). Female gender, daily dosage >5 mg, concomitant use of gastroprotective agents, and CHADS2 scores ≥1 were associated with a decreased likelihood of discontinuation (P < .05).ConclusionsRisk factors for warfarin discontinuation include older age, recent bleeding, and a high number of concomitant medications. Risk factors associated with bleeding events are older age, use of a warfarin-potentiating medication, previous bleeding, and higher CHADS2 scores.

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