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INTRODUCTION: Evidence regarding the development of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) during hospitalization is unclear. We hypothesized that the incidence of PE could vary depending on clinical department and aimed to conduct a survey on the incidence of in-hospital PE. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using claims data of in-hospital patients in Japan. We collected background information regarding patients with and without PE occurrence during hospitalization. Further, we determined the incidence of PE and implemented prophylactic procedures in patients with and without surgery according to clinical department at admission. Finally, we examined the duration of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality rates in patients with and without PE. RESULTS: We found that 5007 (0.107%, 20.61 per 1000 person-years) patients developed PE during hospitalization and differed by clinical department at admission. Moreover, 2272 (0.095%, 19.3 per 1000 person-years) and 2735 (0.119%, 21.8 per 1000 person-years) patients with and without surgery, respectively, developed PE during hospitalization (P < 0.001). Further, 33.8% of inpatients underwent prophylactic procedures for PE; however, the implementation rate differed between patients with and without surgery (59.2% vs. 7.3%, P < 0.001). The median duration of hospital stay in patients with and without PE was 31.0 and 11.0 days, and the in-hospital mortality rates in patients with and without PE were 11.0% and 3.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: The incidence of in-hospital PE differed according to patient characteristics, clinical departments, and presence/absence of surgery. The onset of PE during hospitalization leads to prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: It is important to conduct a proper risk assessment on admission as well as to implement proper prophylactic procedures to prevent the development of PE during hospitalization.
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Background/purpose: Although many coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine injections have been administered worldwide, the safety of this practice remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the rates of complications associated with COVID-19 vaccines administered by dentists with those of vaccines administered by nurses. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of a vaccination program delivered by dentists. Materials and methods: This observational cohort study included 537 recipients of the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, delivered as an intramuscular injection to the upper arm deltoid muscle by dentists or nurses at the study site. Vaccine recipients were divided into two groups according to the vaccination administrator (dentist vs. nurse groups). The rates of complications associated with intramuscular injection technique (numbness in the hand or arm at the time of the injection, vasovagal reflex at the time of the injection, vaccine-related shoulder injury, and prolonged numbness) were examined. Results: A total of 125 vaccine recipients were included (nurse group, n = 84; dentist group, n = 41). The overall incidence rate of complications was lower in the dentist group (2.4%; 1/41) than in the nurse group (8.3%; 7/84). However, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.3). Conclusion: This study suggests that the safety of COVID-19 vaccine administration is comparable between dentists and nurses.
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INTRODUCTION: The time course of reduction in the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who were diagnosed with cancer, treated with anticancer therapy, and in remission is unclear. We hypothesized that the risk of VTE will decrease over time after cancer remission. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using claims data for cancer remission in Japan. Background information of patients who developed VTE after cancer remission was collected, and the VTE incidence rate after cancer remission was analyzed. Subgroup analysis based on VTE history, cancer type, and the presence or absence of surgery during hospitalization was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 638,908 patients were eligible for the analysis. VTE occurred in 5533 of 638,908 cases, pulmonary embolism occurred in 779 cases, and deep vein thrombosis occurred in 5084 cases after cancer remission. The mean age of patients who developed VTE was 70.1 ± 12.5 years, and the proportion of men was 47.5%. All comorbidities and medications were higher in the VTE group (P < 0.001) than in the non-VTE group after cancer remission. The incidence of VTE was 2.4% per year in the first 30 days, 1.35% per year in 31-60 days, and gradually decreased to 0.48% per year in 181-360 days, becoming almost constant (annual rate 0.3%) 2 years after cancer remission. CONCLUSION: Risk of developing VTE decreased to the same level as that in patients without cancer 2 years after cancer remission. Although the guidelines do not specify the duration of anticoagulant prophylaxis for new onset or recurrent VTE after cancer remission and the appropriate duration of such prophylaxis may vary depending on VTE risk factors, determining the period of high risk of VTE for each patient and preventing VTE is considered important.
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INTRODUCTION: Previous studies on anticoagulation treatment trends have mostly focused on hospitalized patients. This study aimed to clarify the treatment status of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Japan from 2011 to 2018, including outpatients, and to assess adherence with current guidelines. METHODS: Data of inpatients and outpatients who were treated for VTE were extracted from a nationwide claims database (Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 79,330 patients with VTE; half were diagnosed during hospitalization for diseases other than VTE. The proportion of outpatient treatment increased significantly from 2015 to 2018 (Cochran-Armitage trend test, P < 0.0001), while 80% were anticoagulated in hospital after pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis. The proportion of patients with VTE treated as outpatients was no lower than the proportion of inpatients, even in the presence of active cancer, and there were no clear differences in anticoagulant choices. Treatment with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) did not always include the recommended initial intensification therapy. There was wide variation in the duration of DOAC treatment and the median duration of use was shorter than that recommended in VTE treatment guidelines. CONCLUSION: While the gradual increase in VTE outpatient treatment appears to be in line with guideline recommendations, PE outpatient treatment could be further facilitated. The large proportion of patients diagnosed with VTE during hospitalization for other conditions suggests the importance of further utilizing in-hospital manuals for thrombosis prevention. The presence or absence of cancer did not appear to affect the basic treatment strategy of anticoagulation for VTE. Future studies are expected to better define the characteristics of patients who can be safely and effectively treated in an outpatient setting, and to examine whether anticoagulation for a shorter treatment period than recommended by the guidelines or DOAC therapy without initial intensification would improve patient outcomes.
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PURPOSE: Although warfarin has historically been the standard of care for preventing ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is rapidly increasing. In this study, we examined the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients continuing warfarin therapy and investigated reasons for warfarin continuation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Each study site consecutively registered 10 patients with NVAF who had been taking warfarin for at least 12 months. Demographic and clinical characteristics and international normalized ratio (INR) values were collected from medical records. Physicians responded to questionnaires exploring reasons for continuing warfarin therapy. RESULTS: Overall, 313 patients treated with warfarin were registered at 33 sites. Mean ± SD age was 76.4±9.6 years; 62.9% of patients were male. The proportion of patients with INR values in the therapeutic range was 74.6% and 48.8% among patients aged ≥70 years and <70 years, respectively. Over half of the patients (51.4%) had been advised to switch from warfarin to DOACs; the primary physician-reported reason for this recommendation was superior safety and effectiveness. However, patients reported continuing warfarin because of the high price of DOACs (47.2%) and long-term positive experiences with warfarin (31.7%). The remaining 48.6% of patients with NVAF had never been counseled by their physicians about DOACs as an alternative to warfarin. For 76% of these patients, physicians favored warfarin for medical reasons, such as impaired renal function and controlled INR, but in the remaining patients, medical reasons for continuing warfarin were lacking. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of the patients in this study were informed of warfarin alternatives primarily for improved efficacy and safety, but elected not to change regimens because of the high price of DOACs and long-term positive experiences with warfarin. In the remaining half, physician preference or specific patient characteristics prevented a change in therapy.
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PURPOSE: Patients treated with warfarin must adhere to frequent monitoring, dietary restrictions, and complicated dose adjustments. Apixaban, a direct factor Xa inhibitor, is an alternative to warfarin that may reduce patient burdens associated with warfarin therapy. However, there is limited evidence pertaining to patient satisfaction with anticoagulant therapies in Japanese patients. The purpose of this observational study was to investigate changes in patient satisfaction after switching from warfarin to apixaban. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients who were scheduled to switch anticoagulants from warfarin to apixaban were enrolled and treated with apixaban for 12 weeks. Patient satisfaction was assessed before the change in medication and after 12 weeks of treatment with apixaban using the Anti-Clot Treatment Scale (ACTS), a patient-reported instrument for measuring satisfaction with anticoagulation treatment. The ACTS includes a 12-item burden scale (maximum 60 points) and a 3-item benefit scale (maximum 15 points). RESULTS: Among 732 NVAF patients enrolled, the full analysis set consisted of 697 patients who completed two ACTS assessments (one before the medication change and one 12 weeks after the change). Mean (±standard deviation) patient age was 76.2±9.1 years and mean CHADS2 score was 2.5±1.3. There were no significant changes in ACTS benefit scores. However, ACTS burden scores showed significant improvements at Week 12 compared to baseline (55.6±5.3 at Week 12 and 49.7±8.7 at baseline; P<0.0001). Factors associated with changes in ACTS burden scores from the multiple logistic regression analysis were age ≥70 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-3.10; P=0.0169), baseline ACTS burden score (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.75-0.82; P<0.0001), and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/antiplatelet drugs (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.36-1.00; P=0.0499). CONCLUSION: Switching from warfarin to apixaban improved patient satisfaction with anticoagulant therapy in Japanese patients with NVAF by reducing burden of treatment.
