Healthcare resources and costs associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Spain: apixaban versus acenocoumarol

Aim: Healthcare resources usage and costs associated to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) were analyzed in Spain. Methods: This is an observational and retrospective study on patients with NVAF who started their treatment with apixaban or acenocoumarol between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017. Results: 2160 patients treated with apixaban were paired (1:1) with patients treated with acenocoumarol (propensity score matching). Apixaban reduced the incidence of strokes and systemic embolisms, minor and major bleedings and deaths, versus acenocoumarol. Apixaban led to reductions of 80, 55 and 43% in costs related to nursing visits, hospitalizations, and emergency visits, respectively, leading to annual cost savings of euro274/patient, from the perspective of society. Conclusion: Our results suggested that apixaban is a cost-effective alternative for patients with NVAF.

Automated summary

This observational and retrospective study analyzed healthcare resources usage and costs associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in Spain. The results showed that compared to acenocoumarol, apixaban reduced the incidence of strokes and systemic embolisms, minor and major bleedings, and deaths. Apixaban also led to significant cost savings in nursing visits, hospitalizations, and emergency visits, with an annual saving of €274 per patient from the perspective of society. Therefore, apixaban is considered a cost-effective alternative for patients with NVAF.