UCSF

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of dabigatran followed a very strict protocol, which included close monitoring and follow-up. Patients followed in this controlled environment had an average medication possession ratio (MPR) greater than 0.95. However, very few studies have evaluated patient adherence to dabigatran in a real-world setting. Other studies of chronic medications indicate patients are not reliably adherent to twice daily regimens. Adherence to therapy is particularly important for direct thrombin inhibitors because there may be a risk of increased thromboembolic events associated with poor adherence to these agents.  OBJECTIVE: To identify the MPR for patients prescribed dabigatran at a large academic medical center and affiliated clinics.  METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study evaluated the MPR for patients prescribed dabigatran between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. Patients included in this study had to receive dabigatran for a minimum of 3 months, have a primary care physician or cardiologist at the medical center or affiliated clinics, and must not use a mail order pharmacy. Patient MPR was calculated based on prescriptions picked up from the patient. RESULTS: After screening 400 patients, 159 patients met eligibility criteria. The mean MPR for the patients in this study was 0.63. Overall, 43% of the patients had an MPR of less than  0.80, and the mean MPR for this subgroup was 0.39 ± 0.27; 57% of the study population had an MPR of 0.80 or higher, with a mean MPR of 0.94 ± 0.08. There was a significantly higher proportion of men (67.7%, P = 0.0112) and a larger number of as needed medications prescribed (1.73 vs. 0.86, P = 0.0039) in patients with an MPR  less than  0.80. There were 5 patients hospitalized during the study period (3 for bleeding, 1 for confusion, and 1 death not related to dabigatran therapy).  CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low mean MPR seen in this study may indicate that there is a need for improved anticoagulation services and follow-up for patients taking dabigatran.