[Influence of ageism on guideline adeherence in seniors with atrial fibrillation in the local practise of private cardiology clinic among years 2012 a 2017].

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a problem of growing prevalence as a consequence of the ageing population, is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The risk is significantly reduced by oral anticoagulation. Adherence to guidelines may lower the risks for both all cause and cardiovascular (CV) deaths.

METHODS

Our objective was to evaluate the type and adherence of prescribed antithrombotic treatment according to the 2012 and 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines in studied group of consecutive patients managed in private cardiology office in years 2012 and 2017. Only patients with diagnosis of AF were analysed. We aimed to prove, if nonadherence is associated with higher rate of adverse outcomes. Data were obtained from consecutive patients managed in private cardiology office in years 2012 and 2017. Only patients with diagnosis of AF older than 65 years were analysed.

RESULTS

Among 2 850 patients examined in 2012, 213 (8 %) were discharged with a diagnosis of AF. In 2017 we examined 4 389 patients, 401 (9 %) diagnosed with AF, among them 350 older than 65 (87.5%). Median age in both groups was 76 ys. Significant differences in the frequency and type of anticoagulation therapy were observed between 2012 and 2016 - warfarin was used in 102 (47 %) vs 110 (31 %), NOACs in 25 (12 %) vs 189 (54 %), ASA or clopidogrel in 68 (32 %) vs. 41 (12 %). None antitrombotics were used in 20 (10 %) vs 10 (3 %). Based on ESC guidelines, both groups were divided into two subgroups according to the guideline adherence to proper anticoagulation therapy. The quality of medical treatment increased significantly from 2012 to 2017. 61 % of patients were on guideline-adherent thromboprophylaxis, 39 % were undertreated in 2012, while in 2017 the guidelines were followed much better - 14 % were undertreated vs 86 % treated properly. We examined statistically the importance of age, frailty, history of ischaemic stroke, minor heamorhage, and values of CHADS2 and HASBLED indexes for the nonadherence to Guideline aproved antitrombotic management. Series of binary logistic analyses showed that increasing age (p = 0.05), and concomitant history of minor bleeding (p = 0.003) were associated with undertreatment in 2012, while in 2017 HASBLED score (p < 0.051), nor other studied factor led to non-adherence to Guideline aproved therapy. AF patients who were guideline adherent had a lower rate of all-cause death (p = 0.007) compared to those non-adherent. Binary logistic regresion analysis showed that guideline-nonadherent patients had a higher risk for all-cause mortality (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Non-adherence to guidelines is currently less prevalent among elderly AF patients compared to clinical treatment in previous years. Proper Guideline-adherent treatment is being independently associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. Efforts to improve guideline adherence would lead to better outcomes for elderly and frail AF patients.