Impact of comorbidity on medication use in elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases: the OCTOCARDIO study

Recommended medications are under-prescribed in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), and congestive heart failure (CHF). The relationship between under-prescribing and comorbidity is unclear.

Single-day observational study.

Analysis of medications taken by patients aged 80 years or over at the time of their admission to cardiology units of 32 French hospitals. Comorbidity was measured using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI).

The study included 510 patients (57% men, mean age 85 years). History of AF, CHF, and CAD was present in 213 (42%), 199 (39%), and 187 (37%) patients, respectively. CCI was 0 in 110 (22%), 1-2 in 215 (42%), and ≥3 in 185 (36%) patients. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were prescribed to 105 (49%) and aspirin to 86 (40%) patients with AF. CCI did not influence VKA prescription but influenced aspirin use, with lower prescription rates in patients with CCI 1-2 than CCI 0 or CCI ≥3 (p = 0.02). In CHF, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and β-blockers were prescribed to 80 (40%) and 96 (48%) patients, respectively. Rates of prescription of ACEI, β-blockers, statins, and aspirin in patients with CAD were 43%, 56%, 56%, and 66%, respectively. CCI level did not influence any medication use in CHF and CAD.

Even in the absence of comorbidity, elderly patients with major cardiovascular diseases are denied from indicated medical treatments probably because of their age alone. Implementing measures to enhance awareness of treatment benefits and promote appropriate prescribing is necessary.