A study published in Gastroenterology examined the direct oral anticoagulants' gastrointestinal safety.
Neena Abraham, MD, of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Mayo Clinic, and colleagues conducted a retrospective, propensity-matched study using Optum Labs claims data. Researchers examined rivaroxaban versus dabigatran usage for 31,574 patients, data on apixaban versus dabigatran useage for 13,084 patients and data on apixaban versus rivaroxaban useage for 13,130 patients.
Here's what you should know.
1. GI bleeding occurred more frequently in patients taking rivaroxaban than dabigatran.
2. Apixaban had a lower GI bleeding risk than dabigatran or rivaroxaban.
3. GI bleeding rates for all direct oral anticoagulants increased in patients 75-years and older.
4. Apixaban had a lower GI bleeding risk in the in patients 75-years and older than dabigatran or rivaroxaban.
5. Median times to GI bleeding were less than 90 days for apixaban and rivaroxaban and less than 120 days for dabigatran.
Researchers concluded, "In a population-based study of patients receiving DOAC agents, we found apixaban had the most favorable GI safety profile and rivaroxaban the least favorable profile."