Clinical Characteristics, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Adverse Events in Elderly and Non-Elderly Japanese Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation ― Competing Risk Analysis From the Hokuriku-Plus AF Registry

Background: Few studies in Japan have reported on follow-up data regarding the clinical course and risk factors for adverse outcomes in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), vs. younger patients, when considering the competing risk of death. Methods and Results: We prospectively studied 1,328 patients with NVAF (965 men; mean [+/- SD] age 72.4 +/- 9.7 years) from the Hokuriku-Plus AF Registry with a median follow-up of 5.0 years (interquartile range 3.5-5.3 years) and evaluated the incidence of thromboembolism or major bleeding in elderly (age >= 75 years; n=595) and non-elderly (age <75 years; n=733) patients. Analysis using the Gray method showed no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolism; however, the incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in the elderly than non-elderly group. The Fine-Gray model, after adjustment for age and sex in the elderly group, showed that age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.13; P=0.004) and warfarin use (HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.12-3.14; P=0.02) were significantly associated with major bleeding. In the elderly group, those using warfarin had a higher incidence of thromboembolism and major bleeding than those using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Conclusions: The efficacy and safety of DOACs were remarkable in elderly compared with non-elderly patients with NVAF considering the competing risk of death. DOACs may be a favorable choice in elderly patients with NVAF.