Pharmacogenetic Warfarin Dosing Algorithm in the Russian Population

Abstract

Background. To date, there are many pharmacogenetic algorithms for selecting the dose of warfarin. However, there is very little information about the predictive accuracy of the algorithms. We decided to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the Gage algorithm, using a calculator, located on the web site (http://www.warfarindosing.org) in two ethnic groups (Caucasians and Asians), living in Russia.Aim. To compare the actual warfarin dose (AWD) to the calculated warfarin dose (CWD), using the algorithm in two ethnic groups taking warfarin.Materials and methods. We included 114 patients (66 Caucasians and 48 Asians): the mean age was60.91 ± 12.34 years; 61 (53.51 %) men, and 53 (46.49 %) women. The comparative characteristics of the algorithm were tested using the mean absolute error (MAE) between AWD and CWD, and percentage of patients, whose CWD fell within 20 % of AWD (percentage within 20 %). Genotyping for CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, CYP4F*2 and VKORC1 was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using Pharmacogenetics Warfarin reagent kits (DNA technology, Russia).Results. The Gage algorithm produced the predictive accuracy with MAE = 1.02 ± 0.16 mg/day and percentage within 20 % for Asian patients was 39.6 %. We obtained MAE = 1.33 ± 0.16 mg/day and percentage within 20 % for Caucasian patients was 40.9 %. In two ethnic groups (Caucasians and Asians) of the Russian population, overall performance of warfarin pharmacogenetic dosing by the Gage algorithm was similar.Conclusions. Despite the performance limitation of the current warfarin pharmacogenetic dosing Gage algorithm, constant international normalized ratio monitoring is important.