Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older.

2021

The effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is non-inferior to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) to treat atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this cross-sectional study, we compared older persons taking DOACs to those taking VKAs. We included ambulatory individuals ≥80 years, affiliated to Mutualité Sociale Agricole of Burgundy, who were refunded for a medical prescription in September 2017. The demographic conditions, registered chronic diseases (RCD), and number and types of prescribed drugs were compared in the DOAC group and VKA group. Of the 3190 included individuals, 1279 (40%) were prescribed DOACs and 1911 (60%) VKAs. Individuals taking VKAs were older than…