Long-term trends in antithrombotic drug prescriptions among adults aged 80 years and over from primary care: a temporal trends analysis using electronic health records.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate trends in antithrombotic prescriptions from 2001 to 2015 among people aged 80 years and over within clinical indications.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 215,559 participants registered with the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink from 2001 to 2015 was included in the analyses. The prevalence and incidence of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs were estimated for each year and by five clinical indications.

RESULTS: The prevalence rate of antithrombotic prescriptions among patients aged over 80 years and diagnosed with atrial fibrillation increased from 53% in 2001 to 77% in 2015 (Ptrend <.001). Anticoagulant prescriptions rates also increased five-fold in older adults with atrial fibrillation from around 10% in 2001 to 46% in 2015 (Ptrend <.001). Clopidogrel-prescribing rates in patients aged over 80 years and with venous thrombosis increased from 0.4% in 2001 to 10% in 2015 (Ptrend <.001). Warfarin-prescribing rates in older patients with venous thrombosis increased from 13% in 2001 to 21% in 2015 (Ptrend <.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of antithrombotic drugs increased from 2001 to 2015 in people aged 80 years and over across multiple clinical indications. Assessing the benefits and harms of antithrombotic drugs across different clinical indications in older people is a priority.