Is Rivaroxaban Associated with Lower Inpatient Costs Compared to Warfarin among Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation?

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Is Rivaroxaban Associated with Lower Inpatient Costs Compared to Warfarin among Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation?

Curr Med Res Opin. 2014 Apr 23;

Authors: Laliberté F, Pilon D, Raut MK, Nelson WW, Olson WH, Germain G, Schein JR, Lefebvre P

Abstract
Abstract Background: Warfarin has been the mainstay treatment used by patients with a moderate-to-high risk of stroke due to non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Unlike rivaroxaban, laboratory monitoring to allow the attainment of the prothrombin time international normalized ratio goal is required with warfarin, thereby potentially increasing a patient's hospitalization costs. Objective: To compare hospitalization costs between hospitalized NVAF patients using rivaroxaban versus warfarin in a real-world setting. Methods: A retrospective claims analysis was conducted using the Premier Perspective Comparative Hospital Database from 11/2010 to 9/2012. The study included adult patients hospitalized for NVAF after 11/2011. Patients using rivaroxaban during hospitalization were matched with up to four warfarin users by propensity score analyses. Hospitalization costs were compared between the matched cohorts using generalized estimating equations. A sub-analysis was performed for patients who were first administered their treatment on day three or later of their hospital stay. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on matched cohorts with a primary diagnosis of AF. Results: The matched cohorts' (2809 rivaroxaban and 11,085 warfarin users) characteristics were well balanced. The mean age of cohorts was 71 years and 49% of patients were female. The average hospitalization cost of rivaroxaban users was $11,993 compared to $13,255 for warfarin users. The cost difference was significantly lower by $1284 (P<.001). Patients who were administered rivaroxaban treatment on day three or after incurred significantly lower hospitalization costs (cost difference: $4350; P<.001) compared to warfarin users. Rivaroxaban users with a primary diagnosis of AF also had significantly lower costs compared to warfarin users. Limitations: These included possible inaccuracies or omissions in diagnoses, completeness of baseline characteristics, and a study population that included patients newly initiated on and patients who continued anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion: Hospitalization costs for rivaroxaban were significantly lower than those for warfarin in NVAF patients treated with rivaroxaban.

PMID: 24758611 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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