"• Context: Oral anticoagulation is recommended for prevention of stroke and thrombo-embolic events in people aged 80 years and over (octo+) suffering from non valvular atrial fibrillation (nv AF) and without contraindication to anticoagulant therapy. Two drug classes are available to achieve this oral anticoagulation: the vitamin K antagonists (VKA, warfarin, fluinione and acenocoumarol) or the Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAC, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban). The data of evidence-based and post-marketing literature on the benefit/risk ratio of DOAC comparatively to VKA are limited, conflicting, potentially biased and finally inconclusive in this population. Nevertheless, this population is the most at risk for nv AF and the population with the highest risk of both AF-related thrombotic events and anticoagulant-related major bleedings.
* Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess and compare the real benefits and harms of the two therapeutic strategies available in routine practice, for the anticoagulation in patients 75 years old or more suffering from nvAF. The main objective is to estimate and compare DOAC and VKA in terms of major bleeding, thrombotic events (TE) and death of all cause in 75 years old or more suffering from nv AF. The secondary objectives are to identify factors associated with the occurrence of these events, taking into account the type of anticoagulant, to identify factors associated with the occurrence of these events, taking into account switches from VKA to DOAC or DOAC to VKA, and to describe the utilization patterns of oral anticoagulants.
* Design and statistical analyses: An observational study will be conducted in the French administrative database (SNIIRAM). The SNIIRAM database contains anonymous and prospectively recorded data about all beneficiaries' medical reimbursements including age, gender, long-term chronic disease (LTD), date of death, all out-hospital health-spending reimbursements and all patients' hospitalizations. We will include all octo+ patients they care for, newly treated ("new users") with an oral anticoagulant (VKA or DOAC) for nv AF, at the date of first prescription of oral anticoagulant. From the date, patients data will be collected during at least 2 years. To assess the principal endpoint, we will estimate the time between the date of inclusion and the date of occurrence of a major thromboembolic event, major bleeding event, or death from any cause, whichever comes first. Exposure will be considered as time-dependant. The total number of patients expected is 150 000."
