Published online Sep 26, 2021. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v13.i9.483
Peer-review started: March 10, 2021
First decision: May 6, 2021
Revised: May 25, 2021
Accepted: July 26, 2021
Article in press: July 26, 2021
Published online: September 26, 2021
Processing time: 192 Days and 2.3 Hours
The quality of warfarin therapy can be determined by the time in the therapeutic range (TTR) of international normalized ratio (INR). The estimated minimum TTR needed to achieve a benefit from warfarin therapy is ≥ 60%.
To determine TTR and the predictors of poor TTR among atrial fibrillation patie
A retrospective observational study was conducted at a cardiology referral center in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 420 patients with atrial fibrillation and under follow-up at the pharmacist led Warfarin Medication Therapeutic Adherence Clinic between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. Patients’ clinical data, information related to warfarin therapy, and INR readings were traced through electronic Hospital Information system. A data collection form was used for data collection. The percentage of days when INR was within range was calculated using the Rosendaal method. The poor INR control category was defined as a TTR < 60%. Predictors for poor TTR were further determined by using logistic regression.
A total of 420 patients [54.0% male; mean age 65.7 (10.9) years] were included. The calculated mean and median TTR were 60.6% ± 20.6% and 64% (interquartile range 48%-75%), respectively. Of the included patients, 57.6% (n = 242) were in the good control category and 42.4% (n = 178) were in the poor control category. The annual calculated mean TTR between the year 2014 and 2018 ranged from 59.7% and 67.3%. A high HAS-BLED score of ≥ 3 was associated with poor TTR (adjusted odds ratio, 2.525; 95% confidence interval: 1.6-3.9, P < 0.001).
In our population, a high HAS-BLED score was associated with poor TTR. This could provide an important insight when initiating an oral anticoagulant for these patients. Patients with a high HAS-BLED score may obtain less benefit from warfarin therapy and should be considered for other available oral anticoagulants for maximum benefit.
Core Tip: This is a retrospective observational study to determine time in therapeutic range (TTR) and the predictors of poor TTR among patients with atrial fibrillation under follow-up at the Warfarin Medication Therapeutic Adherence Clinic of a tertiary cardiology referral center in Selangor, Malaysia. In this study cohort, we found that high HAS-BLED score (≥ 3) was a significant predictor of poor TTR.