IMR Press / RCM / Volume 25 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2503079
Open Access Original Research
Current Anticoagulation Statuses among Older Chinese People with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Junrong Jiang1,2,†Yihan Weng1,2,†Jun Huang3,†Hai Deng1,2Hongtao Liao1,2Xianhong Fang1,2Xianzhang Zhan1,2Shulin Wu1,2,*Yumei Xue1,2,*
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1 Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 511436 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
2 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 511436 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
3 Department of Geriatrics, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Institute of Geriatrics, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 511436 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
*Correspondence: doctor_wushulin@126.com (Shulin Wu); doctor_xym@126.com (Yumei Xue)
These authors contributed equally.
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 25(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2503079
Submitted: 16 April 2023 | Revised: 10 October 2023 | Accepted: 1 November 2023 | Published: 29 February 2024
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: The reported anticoagulation rate may be overestimated among Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to understand the current status and time trends of anticoagulation among older people in the Chinese community. Methods: Data were obtained from the physical examination program for the elderly (aged 65 years) in Guangzhou. During 2017–2020, a total of 31,829, 58,573, 55,483, and 54,845 older people underwent annual physical examinations, respectively, where their general information, AF-related medical history, and use of oral anticoagulants (OACs) were collected for analysis. Results: From 2017 to 2020, the estimated annual prevalence of older people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in Guangzhou was 0.99%, 0.92%, 1.05%, and 1.14%, respectively. In patients with high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score 2 for males or 3 for females), the annual anticoagulation rates were 2.83%, 2.05%, 5.29%, and 5.82%, respectively. The proportion of NVAF patients prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) increased gradually over the same period (p = 0.004). Males (odds ratios (OR), 1.797; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.169–2.763; p = 0.008), ages over 75 (OR, 1.858; 95% CI, 1.212–2.849; p = 0.005), low education levels (OR, 1.737; 95% CI, 1.132–2.665; p = 0.011), and lacking the ability for self-care (OR, 4.432; 95% CI, 1.067–18.418; p = 0.041) were less likely to receive OAC therapy. Conclusions: The low anticoagulation rate of older people with NVAF in the Chinese community has not significantly improved in recent years, with only 5.82% of patients with high stroke risk being prescribed OACs. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an appropriate mode of anticoagulant management to improve the current situation.

Keywords
atrial fibrillation
anticoagulation
older people
China
Funding
2019B020230004/Science and Technology Programs of Guangdong Province
81870254/National Natural Science Foundation of China
202151/ZHONGNANSHAN MEDICAL FOUNDATION OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE
Figures
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