title: Effect of age upon the induction and maintenance of anticoagulation with warfarin.
abstract: We aimed to examine the effect of age upon the control of anticoagulation with warfarin in ordinary clinical practice, using a retrospective examination of routine anticoagulation clinic records from the University Hospital, Nottingham. Considerable over-anticoagulation (international normalisation ratio (INR) > 6.0) during induction occurred in 54 (11%) of 495 patients and was more likely in older patients (p < 0.05). Lesser degrees of over-anticoagulation during induction (INR > 4.0) were also more common in older patients, occurring in 58% of those aged 75 or above. Loading doses of warfarin were not reduced in older patients. INR in the maintenance phase rose with age (p < 0.001) despite lower maintenance doses of warfarin (p < 0.001). An INR > 6.0 in the maintenance phase was noted in 24 (3%) of 739 patients and again was more likely in older patients (p < 0.05). Patients using ambulance transport to the clinic were older than those who did not (p < 0.01) and those aged over 75 had shorter intervals between clinic visits (p < 0.01). We conclude that doctors using warfarin therapy do not take sufficient account of the increased sensitivity of older people to warfarin. Hospital anticoagulant policies need implementation and evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care of the Elderly, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gladman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dolan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014859:Warfarin