S Lightowlers1, A McGuire. 1. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Newham General Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of clinical trials have shown the value of anticoagulating patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation to prevent ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation with particular reference to the very elderly (aged >75 years) who have a higher incidence of bleeding events while undergoing anticoagulation. METHODS: We calculated the incremental costs per life-year gained for 4 base cases using efficacy data from the Boston Area Anticoagulation Trial for Atrial Fibrillation, the meta-analysis of the 5 nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation trials, cost data from a district general hospital, and review of the literature. RESULTS: The cost per life-year gained free from stroke over 10 years ranged from -pound sterling 400.45 (ie, a resource saving achieved for each life-year gained free from stroke) to pound sterling 13,221.29. The results were most sensitive to alteration in the frequency of anticoagulation monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: For medical and economic reasons, anticoagulation treatment in the prevention of ischemic stroke is justified. Although older patients are more at risk of adverse events, anticoagulation is more cost-effective in this group.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of clinical trials have shown the value of anticoagulating patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation to prevent ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation with particular reference to the very elderly (aged >75 years) who have a higher incidence of bleeding events while undergoing anticoagulation. METHODS: We calculated the incremental costs per life-year gained for 4 base cases using efficacy data from the Boston Area Anticoagulation Trial for Atrial Fibrillation, the meta-analysis of the 5 nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation trials, cost data from a district general hospital, and review of the literature. RESULTS: The cost per life-year gained free from stroke over 10 years ranged from -pound sterling 400.45 (ie, a resource saving achieved for each life-year gained free from stroke) to pound sterling 13,221.29. The results were most sensitive to alteration in the frequency of anticoagulation monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: For medical and economic reasons, anticoagulation treatment in the prevention of ischemic stroke is justified. Although older patients are more at risk of adverse events, anticoagulation is more cost-effective in this group.
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