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Polypharmacy in atrial fibrillation: A prospective analysis of mortality and ischemic stroke using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink

Slater, Natasha; White, Simon; Frisher, Martin

Authors



Abstract

Background: Observational studies of polypharmacy and the risk of death or stroke in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) have produced inconsistent findings. By using propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression, this study aimed to determine whether polypharmacy (five to nine medicines) in the 3 months following AF diagnosis, is associated with an increased risk of death or ischemic stroke, compared to non‐polypharmacy (one to four medicines). Methods: A prospective cohort study using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2006–2019). Data from 23 629 individuals with AF were analyzed. Cox regression models were adjusted for age, gender, morbidities, obesity, alcohol, smoking, and wealth. In the PSM models, cases and controls with near identical health profiles were selected from the study pool. The risk of death and stroke were presented as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: 68.9% (n = 16 271) of the participants had polypharmacy. PSM showed that polypharmacy was associated with an increased risk of death during follow‐up (HR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.19–1.47, p < .01), but not ischemic stroke (HR 0.84; 95% CI: 0.69–1.02, p = .08). Conclusion: Polypharmacy was associated with an increased risk of death during follow‐up, but not ischemic stroke, in individuals with AF. The effects of comorbidity and other confounding factors were reduced by using PSM. This study focused on the overall medication burden; however, further research is needed to identify which specific medications in polypharmacy regimens increase the risk of mortality in AF. These findings could inform prescribing practices in the future.

Citation

Slater, N., White, S., & Frisher, M. (2024). Polypharmacy in atrial fibrillation: A prospective analysis of mortality and ischemic stroke using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Journal of Arrhythmia, 40(1), 47-56. https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.12961

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 7, 2023
Online Publication Date Nov 27, 2023
Publication Date 2024-02
Deposit Date Dec 4, 2023
Journal Journal of Arrhythmia
Print ISSN 1880-4276
Publisher Wiley Open Access
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 40
Issue 1
Pages 47-56
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/joa3.12961
Keywords ischemic stroke, CPRD, atrial fibrillation, mortality, polypharmacy
Public URL https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/654977
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joa3.12961