| Genotyping Warfarin Patients Reduces 30% Hospitalizations |
| 02/05/2010 |
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A new study suggests that genotyping Warfarin patients resulted in a 30% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations and hospitalizations for bleeding and/or thrombosis.
Dr Robert Epstein presented the Medco-Mayo Warfarin Effectiveness Study (MM-WES) at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2010 Scientific Sessions.
Genetic testing may predict the best warfarin dose more accurately and earlier. Patients may get to a stable dose more quickly and therefore have a lower risk of negative outcomes.
Researchers recruited 896 patients who were beginning warfarin therapy between 2007 and 2009. At the start of warfarin therapy, patients gave a blood sample or buccal swab, which was analyzed for the genetic expression of two genes, CYP2C9 and VKORC1, polymorphisms in either of which can signal the need for higher or lower doses of warfarin. Results and their interpretation were sent to the patient’s doctor, who had the option to adjust warfarin dosing based on the patient's genotype test results.
Results of the study showed that, compared with the control group, the genotyped cohort had 31% fewer hospitalizations overall and 28% fewer hospitalizations for bleeding or thrombosis during the six-month follow-up period.
The cost of genotyping is $200 to $400 per test, is actually very expensive, but if it can reduce number and days of hospitalizations in the numbers showed, it would be very effective in cost-saving.
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Source Information:
Robert S. Epstein, MD, MS, Thomas P. Moyer, PhD, Ronald E. Aubert, PhD*, Dennis J. O'Kane, PhD, Fang Xia, PhD*, Robert R. Verbrugge, PhD*, Brian F. Gage, MD, MS and J. Russell Teagarden, DMH, RPh
Warfarin Genotyping Reduces Hospitalization RatesResults From the MM-WES (Medco-Mayo Warfarin Effectiveness Study)
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