Drug use in patients with atrial fibrillation in Swedish primary health care: a comparison 5 years apart.
OBJECTIVE
A study of the utilization of drugs, particularly antithrombotic agents and anti-arrhythmic agents, in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with changes over time in primary health care.


METHODS
Surveys were done of patients with AF over 1-year periods, 1992-1993 (n = 135) and 1997 1998 (n = 144), respectively, at a community health centre in Stockholm County. Information on the prescription of drugs was obtained from the computerized medical records.


RESULTS
The rate of antithrombotic treatment increased from 62.2% to 79.2% (P = 0.001), owing to an increased use of antiplatelet agents from 36.3% to 47.9% (P = 0.037), while the use of anticoagulant agents was on an equal level (25.9% vs 31.3%). The use of any antithrombotic agent in the primary prevention of thromboembolic events in AF increased from 20.0% to 41.0% (P = 0.000). The mean doses of aspirin, when used, increased from 123 to 142 mg (P = 0.036, one-tailed student's t-test). The use of sotalol also increased, from 14.2% to 25.2% (P = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the increased use of antithrombotic agents, there is still an under-prescription of anticoagulant agents and of doses of aspirin.
Wändell
P E
PE
The Husläkarna i Osteråker Health Centre, Akersberga, Sweden.
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003151:Community Health Centers; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013548:Sweden
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors