title: Trends in oral anticoagulant use in Qatar: a 5-year experience.
abstract: In Qatar, dabigatran was introduced in 2011 followed by rivaroxaban in 2014. In this study, we aim to explore the trends in oral anticoagulant use in Qatar over the past 5 years and to what extent did DOACs replace warfarin. We also explored the extent of switching between different anticoagulants (from warfarin to DOACs and vice versa). We collected all anticoagulant prescriptions dispensed as in- or out-patient from 2011 to 2015 in all Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) hospitals. Overall number of patients using warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban over the last 5 years collectively was calculated. Per each calendar year, we calculated the number of all 3 OAC used (warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban), frequency of use of each one of the OAC prescribed and compared the change in proportion of DOACs to warfarin prescriptions over the years. Overall, 6961 patients were using OAC over the past 5 years among which 5849 (84%) used warfarin, 496 (7.1%) used dabigatran and 616 (8.8%) used rivaroxaban. Oral anticoagulants use increased gradually from 2091 in 2011 to 3688 in 2015. Number of patients receiving DOACs increased significantly compared to warfarin [11 (0.5%) in 2011 vs. 849 (23%) in 2015 (p < 0.0001)]. Since its introduction in 2014, number of rivaroxaban users increased significantly compared to dabigatran [212 (40.9%) in 2014 vs. 544 (64.1%) in 2015]. DOACs have been gradually replacing warfarin in Qatar and the trend of their use is similar to that reported in other countries. Warfarin remains the most commonly used oral anticoagulant.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. hazemfelewa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hazem
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1594-1199
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elewa
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Amani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alhaddad
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Section, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Safa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Rawi
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research (NCCCR), Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nounou
authors.affiliation: Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mahmoud
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Research Center, Heart Hospital, HMC, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Rajvir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069604:Dabigatran / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011780:Qatar; D000069552:Rivaroxaban / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D000069604:Dabigatran
keywords: Dabigatran; Direct oral anticoagulants; Rivaroxaban; Trends; Warfarin