Sociodemographic factors and choice of oral anticoagulant in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in Sweden: a population-based cross-sectional study using data from national registers

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BACKGROUND: The Swedish healthcare system aims to provide equal access to care to all residents yet evidence suggests that patients with low socioeconomic status are less likely to receive new drugs. Associations between sociodemographics and prescription of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as an alternative to warfarin in Sweden have not been investigated. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using linked national registers in Sweden. The study population included oral anticoagulant naïve patients aged ≥18 years with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who filled a first prescription for a NOAC or warfarin from 01 December 2011 to 31 December 2014. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the choice of anticoagulant treatment; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Among 68,056 patients with NVAF, 27.4% (N = 18,638) started treatment with a NOAC and 72.6% (N = 49,418) started on warfarin. Patients starting treatment with a NOAC were more likely to be highly educated (OR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.30-1.45), in the highest income quartile (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16-1.31) and have a leading professional occupation (OR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.27-1.58). Patients residing in rural areas were half as likely to start treatment with a NOAC as those in urban areas (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.45-0.51). CONCLUSION: Among Swedish patients with NVAF, those with high socioeconomic status and urban residence were more likely to start preventative treatment with a NOAC than warfarin. Future research should explore reasons for these inequalities in NOAC treatment.

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