Evolution of antiplatelet therapy in Japan for the management of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease: a survey using data from an insurance claims data information service

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2024 Sep;25(13):1851-1860. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2404108. Epub 2024 Sep 19.

Abstract

Background: Non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke (NCIS) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) require secondary prevention with antiplatelet therapy (APT). We investigated APT prescription status for patients with NCIS and IHD.

Research design and methods: This retrospective study utilized claims data from patients with NCIS and those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for IHD and received antiplatelet drugs. The study included Phases A (2015-2016), B (2017-2018), and C (2019-2020). We evaluated patient characteristics, APT prescription rates (dual [DAPT] and single [SAPT]), and prescriptions by NCIS subtype.

Results: In the NCIS cohort, the initial DAPT prescription rate increased over time (Phase A: 14.9%, B: 19.2%, C: 28.0%), but decreased to 6% after 3 months. Subsequently, 25% of patients did not receive APT. For IHD, DAPT duration decreased over time, with 12-month prescription rates of 48.0%, 43.1%, and 32.6% for Phases A, B, and C, respectively. SAPT prescriptions, predominantly aspirin, increased, and use of P2Y12 inhibitors also rose. Few patients (10%) did not receive APT.

Conclusions: Shorter DAPT duration/earlier switching to SAPT for NCIS and IHD have gained acceptance in regional medical care. A higher proportion of NCIS vs IHD patients did not receive APT in the chronic phase.

Trial registration: UMIN000052198.

Keywords: Dual antiplatelet therapy; antiplatelet treatment; ischemic heart disease; ischemic stroke; single antiplatelet therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insurance Claim Review
  • Ischemic Stroke* / drug therapy
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / drug therapy
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / trends
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Secondary Prevention / methods
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors