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Determinants for under- and overdosing of direct oral anticoagulants and physicians' implementation of clinical pharmacists' recommendations
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  • Souad Moudallel,
  • Pieter Cornu,
  • Alain Dupont,
  • Stephane Steurbaut
Souad Moudallel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Corresponding Author:souad.moudallel@uzbrussel.be

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Pieter Cornu
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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Alain Dupont
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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Stephane Steurbaut
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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Abstract

Aim: To analyze the appropriateness of DOAC dosing and determinants for under-and overdosing as well as acceptance and implementation rates of interventions by clinical pharmacists. Methods: Cross-sectional study from January 2019-December 2019 in a tertiary hospital in hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation on DOACs (n=1688). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients with inappropriate DOAC prescribing with identification of determinants for under-and overdosing. Secondary outcomes included acceptance and implementation rates of pharmacists’ advices and determination of reasons for non-acceptance/non-implementation. Results: In 16.9% of patients, inappropriate prescribing was observed. For all DOACs considered together, body weight<60 kg(OR 0.46 [0.27-0.77]), edoxaban use(OR 0.42 [0.24-0.74]), undergoing surgery(OR 0.57 [0.37-0.87]) and being DOAC naïve(OR 0.45 [0.29-0.71]) were associated with a significantly lower odds of underdosing. Bleeding history(OR 1.86 [1.24-2.80]) and narcotic use(OR 1.67 [1.13-2.46]) were associated with a significantly higher odds for underdosing. Determinants with a significantly higher odds of overdosing were renal impairment(OR 11.29 [6.23-20.45]) and body weight<60 kg(OR 2.34 [1.42-3.85]), whereas the use of dabigatran(OR 0.24 [0.08-0.71]) and apixaban(OR 0.18 [0.10-0.32]) were associated with a significantly lower odds of overdosing compared to rivaroxaban. Physicians accepted the pharmacists’ advice in 179 cases (79.2%) consisting of 92 (51.4%) advices for underdosing, 82 (45.8%) for overdosing and 5 (2.8%) for contraindications. The advices were effectively implemented for 75 (81.5%) underdosed, 69 (84.1%) overdosed and 4 (80.0%) contraindicated cases. Conclusion: Inappropriate DOAC prescribing remains common. Clinical services led by pharmacists helps physicians to reduce the number of inadequate prescriptions for high risk medications such as DOACs.
26 Feb 2021Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
27 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
27 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
02 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
07 Jun 20211st Revision Received
17 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
17 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Feb 2022Published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology volume 88 issue 2 on pages 753-763. 10.1111/bcp.15017