Identifying prescribing differences of direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation within the Military Health System

Delayed treatment initiation of oral anticoagulants among Medicare patients with atrial fibrillation

“…A longitudinal study of patients newly diagnosed with AF in 2011–2017 from the Northwestern Medicine Enterprise Data Warehouse reported significantly lower odds of receiving any OAC within 1 year of AF diagnosis in Black and Asian patients compared with White patients [ 15 ]. Studies based on a more homogeneous retired or current military patient population reported similar findings regarding racial/ethnic disparities: significantly lower odds of initiating OACs was observed for Black and Asian AF patients in the Veterans Health Administration in 2014–2018 [ 10 ]; Black patients with AF diagnosis in 2018–2019 within the US Military Health System, compared with White counterparts, had significantly reduced odds of being prescribed a newer generation direct OAC [ 24 ]. These studies complemented by the current study indicate that AF patients from racial/ethnic minorities particularly for Blacks were less likely to access timely OAC treatment.…”